Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his wife and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived back Hanoi on March 12 morning, concluding a trip for the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit commemorating the 50th anniversary of dialogue relations, and official visits to Australia and New Zealand from March 5-11.

At the ASEAN – Australia Special Summit, leaders highlighted the importance and value of the ASEAN-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, set out a major orientation to promote comprehensive cooperation in all fields in the coming time.

They adopted the Melbourne Declaration - A Partnership for the Future and ASEAN-Australia Leaders' Vision Statement - Partners for Peace and Prosperity", which serve as a basis for implementing the ASEAN-Australia comprehensive strategic partnership in the coming time.

At the sessions of the Special Summit, PM Chinh underlined the necessity to create breakthroughs and promote mutual commitments to further strengthen the ASEAN – Australia relations to commemorate the 50th anniversary.

Notably, he had bilateral meetings with heads of participating delegations, including leaders of ASEAN countries, Timor Leste, Australia and New Zealand, and the Secretary General of ASEAN, focusing discussions to tighten friendship and promote bilateral cooperation.
 
The Prime Minister's official visits to Australia and New Zealand were a success in all aspects and an important milestone in the relationship between Vietnam and the two countries. In particular, Vietnam and Australia upgraded their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, and Vietnam and New Zealand agreed to promote bilateral relations to a new height.

Also during the visits, the two sides signed nearly 30 cooperation documents in the fields of education, training, innovation, goods and services, aviation, energy, mining, trade, investment, finance, banking, agriculture, environment, labour and employment, justice, and defence.

UN staff officer training course opens in Hanoi

A United Nations staff officer training course kicked off at the Hanoi-based Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations on March 11 within the framework of Canada's Military Training and Cooperation Programme (MTCP).

Lieutenant General Nguyen Trong Binh, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army (VPA), and Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Steil co-chaired the opening ceremony.

With the participation of 64 lecturers, coordinators, and officers, the course will equip the staff officers with professional knowledge and skills.

It is also set to raise Vietnam’s capacity for organising intensive international training courses on UN peacekeeping operations and developing a contingent of UN peacekeeping lecturers, and strengthen the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Canada and international partners in this regard.

In his remarks, Binh highlighted the whole-hearted, valuable support from Canada to Vietnam in the preparation and deployment of forces for UN peacekeeping operations over the past 10 years, especially in training.  

This is the first training of its kind co-organised by Vietnam and Canada, and the fourth intensive international training course on UN peacekeeping jointly held in Vietnam by the two countries, he added.

For his part, Steil emphasised the Vietnam-Canada cooperation in peacekeeping with the signing of a memorandum of understanding in 2023, saying the course further demonstrates their growing collaboration in this field.

HCM City leader welcomes Japanese vice foreign minister

Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong hosted a reception for Japanese Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Komura Masahiro on March 11.

At the event, Cuong expressed his delight at the sound Vietnam – Japan relationship which has been in its best shape ever, adding that the upgrade of the bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia and the world is a proper recognition for the potential and cooperation opportunities that the two countries hold in their new development period.

He went on to say that the city, a leading economic hub with pioneer policies in foreign affairs and international integration, is responsible for contributing to the Vietnam – Japan relations.

Cuong spoke highly the Japanese Ministry for Foreign Affairs’ support for the organisation of the Vietnam – Japan Festival, describing it as a vivid illustration for the commitment to developing the bilateral ties which have been nurtured by leaders of both sides over the past five decades.

The HCM City administration and people always see Japan as one of the friendliest and the most sustainable partners, he said, adding the city has already set up friendship cooperation with seven Japanese localities.

He thanked the local administration for creating favourable conditions for Japanese firms who are investing and running business in the city, and expressed his hope that the city will continue improving the business climate and facilitating Japanese enterprises’ long-term business and investment, contributing to the development of the Vietnam – Japan relations.

NA Chairman honoured with 40-year Party membership badge

Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Delegation to the National Assembly and Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue was honoured with the 40-year Party membership badge during a ceremony in Hanoi on March 11.

After member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Party Committee of Central Agencies’ Bloc Nguyen Van The announced the decision to present the badge to Hue, Politburo member, Standing member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai presented the badge to the NA leader.

Mai reviewed Hue's revolutionary career since he was admitted to the Party on March 9, 1984, as well as his contributions to the development of various sectors and agencies in his different positions.

During his 40-year Party membership, in all circumstances and all working positions, NA Chairman Hue has shown absolute loyalty to the Party, the Fatherland, and the people, while staying steadfast in Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh's thought, and the goal of national independence and socialism, said Mai, adding that he has upheld the vanguard role of a Party member and joined hands with the Party Central Committee, the Politburo and the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat to promote national reform, construction, and defence.

The badge shows the recognition and high valuation of the Party of NA Chairman Hue’s dedication and contributions to the glorious revolutionary career of the Party, Mai underlined.

For his part, Hue expressed his honour to receive the noble recognition from the Party, and thanked leaders and former leaders of the Party, State and the Vietnam Fatherland Front for guiding and supporting him during his working process.

He affirmed that the badge is a motivation for him to work harder to complete all tasks assigned by the Party, State and people.

Can Tho, Swiss delegation discuss green growth, climate resilience

Authorities of Can Tho city and a delegation from the Swiss Embassy in Vietnam led by Ambassador Thomas Gass explored areas of potential cooperation in circular and green economies, renewable energy and climate-resilient hi-tech agriculture, during a working session in the Mekong Delta city on March 11.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Thuc Hien said Vietnam, including Can Tho, always values the support of the Swiss Government through official development assistance (ODA)-funded projects addressing poverty reduction, environment protection, administrative reform, agriculture, education and training, as well as its assistance for Vietnam in enjoying preferential trade treatment.

He said Can Tho has been actively engaging in cooperation activities with Switzerland, especially in economic field, he said, wishing for further collaboration in areas of Switzerland’s strengths, such as digital transformation, public financial management, urban infrastructure adaptable to climate change, education and training, healthcare, and more.

Can Tho will create favorable conditions for Swiss companies to explore investment opportunities, he said.

Over the past years, Can Tho has benefited from Swiss support for non-governmental projects in education and healthcare. Last year, Can Tho's exports to the European nation, primarily aquatic products, exceeded 556,000 USD.

The discussion further noted the ongoing Phase 3 of the Can Tho City Development Project funded by the Swiss State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO). This project aims to enhance the city's adaptability to climate change, with several components already completed.

Gass, for his part, expressed Switzerland’s interest in sharing experiences in circular and green economies, renewable and solar energy, which are also priorities of Vietnam and Can Tho in particular. Therefore, he wished that both countries would continue increasing cooperation in these areas at both national and local levels.

Highlighting Switzerland's role as a founding member of the Mekong River Commission, he said, through ongoing and past projects, Switzerland has actively supported upstream areas like Can Tho in developing climate-resilient strategies for their core areas./.

Vice State President begins working trip to United Nations, US

Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan is paying a working visit to the US, starting March 11 morning (Vietnam time), to attend the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) and carry out several bilateral activities in the US.

Xuan visited and offered sympathy to the family of left-wing activist Merle Ratner, a close friend of Vietnam, who passed away after a traffic accident in early February.

She affirmed that Vietnam always remembers and respects the affection and contributions that Merle Ratner gave to Vietnam over the past half a century, from antiwar activities, to the nation building cause, and the fight for justice for Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange.

The official then visited and laid wreaths at the National September 11 Memorial to commemorate the victims who died in the terrorist attack in 2001./.

Vietnam, Japan promote financial cooperation

A delegation from the Finance Ministry led by Minister Ho Duc Phoc on March 11 had a working session with Japanese Finance Minister Shunichi Suzuki and representatives from Japanese partners to promote bilateral financial cooperation.

At the event, the two ministers expressed their delight to see the increasingly strong development of the two countries' relations, especially the upgrade of the ties to the Vietnam - Japan Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia and the World last November.

They discussed the two countries' financial cooperation in several areas, such as taxes, customs, loans, aid, and use of official development assistance (ODA), while sharing experience and solutions to improve management capacity and professional operations of functional units.

Phoc said that Vietnam's public debt is currently about 37% of GDP, lower than the set target of 60%. This is an advantage for Vietnam to attract capital from foreign countries to invest in infrastructure as well as socio-economic development.

The Vietnamese minister informed the host of Vietnam’s North-South high-speed railway project, that has an estimated investment of 67 billion USD and will be implemented in 2027. Vietnam expects to mobilise 30% of the investment from foreign capital. Therefore, Vietnam hopes that Japan will participate in providing capital for this project.

In addition, the two ministers expressed support for each other in multilateral financial cooperation such as within the ASEAN 3 framework, focusing on areas such as the Chiang Mai Initiative Multilateralisation (CMIM) and Disaster Risk Finance (DRF) to enhance regional financial stability and resilience.

For his part, Japanese Minister Shunichi Suzuki highly appreciated the Vietnamese Government's efforts in creating favourable conditions for Japanese businesses and banks to cooperate and invest in Vietnam. He also expressed his willingness to join the North-South High-Speed Railway project as well as other infrastructure projects that Vietnam is set to carry out.

On the same day, Minister Phoc and the Vietnamese delegation met with President and Chief Executive Officer of Mizuho Bank Masahiko Kato.

At the meeting, Phoc said Vietnam needs a huge amount of capital for development, including the mobilisation of domestic and foreign financial sources to achieve socioeconomic development goals, particularly the financial resources to realise its commitments to net-zero emissions by 2050.

Masahiko Kato said that Vietnam is one of Mizuho's strategic markets through investment cooperation with Vietcombank. Currently, many Japanese businesses wish to expand their investment scale in Vietnam, and Mizuho always accompanies and supports capital for these businesses.

He also said that his bank stands ready and will work with Vietcombank so as to provide green credit according to environmental -social - governance (ESG) standards.

Earlier, Phoc and the delegation visited the Japan Exchange Group (JPX), and worked with the President of the Japan Financial Services Agency (JFSA) and the President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA).

Vietnam attends dialogue with Secretary General of La Francophonie

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), has attended a dialogue with Louise Mushikiwab, Secretary General of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).

The dialogue, chaired by the Group of French-speaking Ambassadors, took place on March 9 at the UN headquarters in New York, the US. It drew the presence of more than 40 ambassadors and representatives of permanent missions of OIF member countries in New York.

Addressing the event, Ambassador Giang underlined that Vietnam highly appreciates the efforts of the OIF and Secretary-General Mushikiwabo to promote multilateralism and multilingualism at the UN.

He underlined Vietnam's support to French-speaking countries sharing and coordinating each other to make contributions to preparation for the future summit, the global digital agreement as well as other discussions at the UN.

He affirmed said Vietnam will actively contribute to the upcoming 19th Francophonie Summit.

At the event, Secretary-General Mushikiwabo talked about the complicated situation in many regions, challenges that the international community is currently facing such as conflict, political and economic instability, competition between major countries, climate change, differences in development levels, digital transformation and digital disruption which are the priorities and focus of the OIF's actions from now to 2030.

She called on OIF member countries to continue working together to promote a multilateral system based on the central role of the UN, adding that it is necessary to ensure multilingualism in all activities and discussions at the UN for the system to operate effectively and substantially.

Mushikiwabo briefed participants about preparation for the 19th Francophone Summit to be held in France in October which focusing on creativity, innovation and entrepreneurship./.

US Communist Party delegation visits Vietnam

A delegation from the Communist Party of the US (CPUSA) led by Arturo Cambron, a member of the National Committee, has paid a working visit to Vietnam to seek ways to boost ties with the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

During their March 2-8 stay, the delegation visited Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum; held talks with leaders of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations; had working sessions with leaders of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union Central Committee and the Vietnam Association of Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin; and visited Hanoi-based rehabilitation and nursery centre for Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin victims and Hoa Binh Village in Hanoi’s Thanh Xuan district.

The delegation also worked with leaders of the Party Committees and visited several typical economic and agricultural production provincial, and historical and cultural relic sites in the northern provinces of Quang Ninh and Hung Yen.

This was the CPUSA's first official visit to Vietnam within its "Hello Comrades" project to strengthen the friendship and connection between CPUSA and communist and worker parties around the world.

The delegation learned about the reality and experience in building the communist party, socialism and socialist democracy in Vietnam as well as Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and style. They also discussed measures to promote information/experience sharing, and exchanges and friendship between the two parties and people of the two countries.

The CPUSA delegation said they were impressed by the achievements of Vietnam's “Doi Moi” (renewal) process under the leadership of the CPV, especially in terms of economic development coupled with ensuring social security and justice.

The good results that the CPV brought to the country and the Vietnamese people are a great spiritual encouragement for the communists and people in the US, they noted.

Meeting with the CPUSA delegation, leaders of Vietnamese agencies affirmed that the Party, State, and people of Vietnam always appreciate the enthusiastic support that the CPUSA and US friends have given to Vietnam in the cause of national liberation and reunification in the past as well as the cause of national renewal, construction, and defence today.

They thanked the CPUSA for its support for Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of war and the Agent Orange/dioxin disaster as well as for the development of Vietnam-US relations. They hoped the two sides will continue to maintain their traditional friendship, contributing to strengthening the relations between the two countries and their people for peace, friendship, cooperation, and development in the region and the world./.

Vietnam suggests empowering women in digital transformation

Vice State President Vo Thi Anh Xuan suggested empowering women and girls in science, technology and digital transformation while addressing the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) of the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in New York on March 11 (local time).

The work should go in tandem with the fight against discrimination and violence in cyberspace, she said, stressing the need to promote women’s role in building an international environment of peace, stability, and inclusive and sustainable development, and handling non-traditional challenges, especially climate change.  

Women should be given opportunities to maximise their capability in economic, political and social activities, and further engage in decision-making mechanisms in these fields, especially economy, Xuan continued.  

The Vice President called on UN countries to work together to enhance partnership for sustainable development, and provide financial support and policy consultations for developing nations.  
 
She used the occasion to brief the participants on Vietnam’s achievements in ensuring gender equality, elaborating that female National Assembly deputies make up 30.3% of the total seats; and female labour force participation, 70%.

In January, Vietnam issued a national action programme on women, peace and security for 2024-2030, Xuan said, affirming that the country stands ready to closely cooperate with others and partners for gender equality, and women’s and girls’ empowerment, ensuring that no one is left behind.

At the session, UN leaders expressed their concern about the stagnant implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, especially that on hunger eradication and poverty reduction, saying one in every 10 women in the world lives in extreme poverty.

UN leaders emphasised the need to ensure finance and enhance institutions to fully put in place the 1995 Beijing Declaration and the Platform for Action, and the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, and strengthen women’s economic empowerment.

The CSW is instrumental in promoting women’s rights, documenting the reality of women’s lives throughout the world, and shaping global standards on gender equality and the empowerment of women.

On the same day, Vice President Xuan met with Administrator of the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Achim Steiner, during which she hailed the leadership role of the UNDP within the UN development system, particularly in advancing the implementation of the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

She thanked the organisation for its continuous support to and partnership with Vietnam in the country's reconstruction, development, and national-building efforts over the past nearly 50 years, with total assistance nearing 1 billion USD.

Xuan spoke of Vietnam's efforts in implementing the Socio-economic Development Strategy for the 2021-2030 period, and the Socio-economic Development Plan for the 2021 – 2025 period, including maintaining macroeconomic stability, addressing climate change and natural disasters, transitioning growth models towards green, sustainable and inclusive development, as well as advancements in the Human Development Index (HDI) and gender equality.

She highly appreciated UNDP's cooperation in implementing the Vietnam-UNDP Cooperation Programme for the 2022-2026 period, as well as in the draft outline of the Resource Mobilsation Plan for implementing the Vietnam Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The leader suggested the UNDP continue financial and policy assistance for Vietnam, help the country improve its capacity to implement the aforementioned priority policies, support the socio-economic development in the Mekong Delta region, and mobilise adequate resources from development partners to ensure the implementation of these tasks.

For his part, Steiner congratulated Vietnam on its great achievements thus far, describing them as a source of encouragement and substantial contribution to implementing the UN’s priorities.

He said Vietnam and the UNDP share common priorities regarding green and digital transformation, affirming that international organisation stands ready to support Vietnam in achieving its commitment of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and in implementing the JETP, accelerating decarbonisation processes and ensuring affordable access to clean energy. It will act as a bridge between Vietnam and international donors, as well as among the Mekong River basin countries, to support Vietnam in meeting its set objectives.

The two sides agreed to maintain close collaboration to enable Vietnam to make more significant contributions to UNDP's global efforts in promoting sustainable development./.

Hanoi’s Party oficial pledges to deepen ties with Laos

Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee Dinh Tien Dung paid a courtesy call to Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane on March 11, assuring the host that Hanoi, as well as Vietnam, will spare no effort, together with the Party, State and people of Laos, to preserve and foster bilateral special relationship in various areas.

Dung affirmed that Hanoi always gives high priority to its important political relations with Laos, especially Vientiane capital and northern Lao provinces.

In the coming time, Hanoi will work together with Vientiane and other Lao localities to enhance cooperation in a more practical and effective manner, he said, adding that in this regard, Hanoi will increase sharing experiences in various fields.

PM Sonexay Siphandone, for his part, highly valued the success of joint initiatives between the two capitals under their 2022-2025 cooperation agreement, especially practical support provided by Hanoi for Vientiane during this period.

Expressing his confidence that the two capitals will continue effectively realising the 2022-2025 cooperation agreement, he wished that Hanoi would actively share the best practices and lessons learned in Party and political system building, economic management, budget allocation, Capital Law drafting, decentralisation, long-term planning with innovative thinking, building of green-clean-beautiful urban areas and fight against social vices like drug abuse, among others.

He envisioned a future where the two capitals become a model of local-level collaboration, thereby fostering the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation nurtured by leaders of both Parties and States.

In the afternoon the same day, Dung held talks with Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Vientiane Anouphap Tounalom.

Dung said in response to Laos' National Tourism Year 2024, Hanoi will collaborate with Vientiane to hold a bilateral tourism promotion programme aimed at increasing economic cooperation and people-to-people exchanges between the two capitals.

He further highlighted Hanoi's keen interest in and desire to step up cooperation with Vientiane in quality human resources development this year.

Beyond offering scholarships for university and postgraduate education, Hanoi stands ready to assist Vientiane in leadership training, and facilitate vocational training and internship opportunities for Vientiane artisans in Hanoi's craft villages, he said.

Agreeing with Dung’s proposals, Anouphap Tounalom vowed to direct local agencies to discuss with Hanoi counterparts to effectively realise them. This collaborative approach, he believed, will foster deeper mutual understanding and solidify the bonds between the two cities.

President hosts Prosecutor General of Mongolia

President Vo Van Thuong hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 11 for Prosecutor General of Mongolia Jargalsaikhan Banzragch, expressing belief that his visit will further deepen ties between the two countries, especially their procuracy sectors on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations this year.

President Thuong highlighted the positive outcomes of bilateral relationship over the past seven decades, emphasising the benefits for both nations' citizens. He specifically cited Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh's visit to Vietnam in late 2023 as a catalyst for new and significant cooperation opportunities, including further strengthening ties between the two procuracies and people-to-people exchanges.

As Vietnam is aiming to become a developed country with modern industry and high middle income by 2030, he said the country has many tasks ahead, including building a rule-of-law state of the people, by the people and for the people; and developing a transparent legal system in which the Supreme People's Procuracy plays a crucial role.

Expressing his delight at key orientations to improving coordination efficiency set by leaders during Banzragch's visit, Thuong wished that both sides would actively work together to better perform tasks of each procuracy sector; fight against crimes, particularly transnational crimes, and facilitate the exchange of delegations of procuracy staff at all levels to share and improve professional expertise and skills.

Banzragch, for his part, said during his visit, leaders of the Supreme People’s Procuracy of Vietnam and the Prosecutor General's Office of Mongolia have agreed to enhance cooperation in protecting the rights and interests of citizens of each country, preventing transnational security threats and cybercrime while facilitating the exchange of delegations of procuracy staff at both central and local levels.

He described his visit as a turning point in the cooperative relationship between the two procuracy sectors, a foundational pillar of Vietnam-Mongolia relations.

The guest wished to welcome President Thuong in Mongolia at his earliest convenience.

Northern region suffering from humid, foggy weather

Humidity and fog are the dominant weather features in the Northern region from March 11,   expected to last until the end of March increasing patterns of rain, heat, cold and humidity.

The cold air waves continuously denatured their state along with diurnal temperature variation in the morning and the afternoon, triggering the weather phenomenon above mentioned.

Humid and fog formation mostly appears in the capital city of Hanoi and the Northeastern, the Red River Delta and the North-Central regions.

Meteorological experts predicted a rise in fog and humidity this month because the Northern region enters a period of seasonable change.

The National Center for Hydrology Meteorology Forecasting continued to alert the risk of drought, little rain and deep saltwater intrusion in the Mekong Delta this week.

This week, some places in the Central Highlands region like Lac Duong, Bao Loc and Gia Nghia have experienced unseasonal rains.

Localities from Da Nang to Binh Thuan and the Southern region have maintained scorching weather with temperatures of up to 36 degrees Celsius.

Vietnamese, Japanese Deputy Foreign Ministers hold talks in Hanoi

Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu held talks in Hanoi on March 11 with Komura Masahiro, Member of the House of Representatives, Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan, who is in Vietnam for a visit from March 10-13.

Vu proposed the two sides maintain the exchange of high-level and all-level delegations in 2024, and Japan continue to cooperate and support Vietnam to promote industrialisation and modernisation in the new context.

The Vietnamese official expressed his satisfaction with the progress in bilateral economic cooperation, and in improving Vietnam's investment in the environment as well as collaboration in such new fields as green transformation, digital transformation, and implementation of projects within the framework of Japan's Asian Zero Emissions Community (AZEC) initiative.

He also suggested the two countries boost labour cooperation and training of skilled human resources to meet their demands, and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese labourers in Japan.

The Japanese official affirmed Vietnam has an important position in Japan's foreign policy on the region. Emphasising the importance of the two countries’ establishment of their comprehensive strategic partnership and organisation of large-scale events celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2023, Komura said that his ministry will maintain close coordination with the Vietnamese side to successfully prepare visits and contacts by high-level leaders in the coming time.

The two officials also exchanged views on the world and regional situations; agreed to strengthen coordination and cooperation on international issues of mutual concern, and to actively contribute to peace and prosperity in the region; and affirmed to maintain mutual support at multilateral forums and international organisations./

Can Tho builds 100 houses for poor, near-poor, needy households

The Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho held a ceremony in Thoi An district on March 11 to break the ground to build 100 houses for poor, near-poor, and needy households in the city.

The houses will be built at a total cost of 5 billion VND (202,819 USD) donated by local agencies, businesses and donors.

Addressing the event, Nguyen Trung Nhan, President of the Can Tho VFF Committee, said that caring for the poor and policy beneficiaries is a major and thorough policy of the Party and State, which has received great attention from the whole political system.

Nhan said that the VFF Committee at all levels in Can Tho have called for contributions from the society to provide better care for the needy by providing them with capital for production development to sustainably get rid of poverty, and building houses for those who have yet owned solid houses.

The city VFF Committee leader asked localities with beneficiaries to choose competent contractors, ensuring the quality of the houses and hand over them to the households as scheduled.

Lieu Kiet, a 42-year-old resident of Thoi Lai district, who is from the Khmer ethnic minority group, said that his four-member family cannot afford repairing their downgrading house. He showed grateful to the administration of Can Tho and Thoi Lai district for supporting his family in building a new house, which is a motivation for them to rise from poverty in the future.

“Hello Dream Day” charity event comes to disabled children in Hanoi