Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has signed a decision on the organisation of the Steering Committee on formulating the project on building regional and international financial centres.

Under the decision, PM Chinh is the head of the committee, and Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung is the deputy head.

Besides, members of the committee comprise a deputy minister of the Ministries of Planning and Investment, Finance, Industry and Trade, National Defence, Public Security, Information and Communications, Justice, Natural Resources and Environment, respectively, a deputy governor of the State Bank of Vietnam, a deputy head of the Government Office, the Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and a Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Da Nang City.

The Steering Committee was established in October last year with the task of assisting the Government and Prime Minister in researching, directing and coordinating to address inter-sectoral issues relating to the development of the regional and international financial centre project.

Under the project, Vietnam strives to turn Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang city into financial centres in the Asia and the world by 2045./.

Lao Cai: Resettlement plan for Nu villagers finalised

Leaders of the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai on September 15 made an inspection trip to Nu village in Bao Yen district, and had discussions with local officials and experts to finalise the selection of location for building a new resettlement area for local residents.

Nu village was swept away by flooding and landslides triggered by Typhoon Yagi a few days ago, leaving 95 people in 37 households dead or missing.

Accordingly, the location is about 2 km from the old village. This is a spacious area on high terrain, safe, and suitable for arranging transport, electricity and water infrastructure. All survivors of the natural disaster have agreed to this plan.

New houses in the resettlement area will be constructed in the traditional architecture of the local Tay people. This resettlement area can also accommodate those living in other low-lying areas, not just the households affected by the flash flood.

The work of measuring, planning, assessing compensation for site clearance and construction began on September 16. The resettlement area is expected to be completed before December 31.

Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful in the East Sea in 30 years and in the Vietnamese mainland in 70 years, caused heavy human and property losses.

As of 6am on September 15, the storm and its accompanying downpours, flooding, and landslides had left 330 dead or missing and injured 1,921 others. They damaged over 230 houses, more than 190,000ha of rice, nearly 48,000ha of other crops, 32,000ha of fruit trees, along with 3,269 aquatic cages. More than 2.6 million poultry and livestock were also killed.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment estimated material losses at about 40 trillion VND (over 1.6 billion USD)./.

Vietnamese Language Day held in Russian city

The fourth Vietnamese Language Day was held in Ulyanovsk, the birthplace of leader Vladimir Ilyich Lenin, on September 14 by the Vietnamese Embassy in Russia and the Russia-Vietnam Cooperation Support Fund “Tradition and Friendship”.

The event marked a step forward in the journey to spread the Vietnamese language and culture in the Vietnamese community in Russia, and helped promote cultural and linguistic exchanges between the two countries.

In a letter sent to the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi wrote that in order to honour and promote the value of the Vietnamese language, and create opportunities for the overseas Vietnamese community to preserve and develop their mother tongue, the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs has chosen September 8 every year as the Day for Honouring Vietnamese Language in Vietnamese Communities Abroad, with many cultural, artistic and exchange activities, especially interesting experiences for young people at home and abroad.

Khoi also expressed his belief that the event will instill positive emotions, spark interest, and encourage exploration of the Vietnamese language and culture among children who were born and raised outside their homeland and do not have opportunities to use their mother tongue.

This will not only help them feel proud of their roots but also lay a solid foundation for friendly and lasting relations between Vietnam and Russia, he added./.

Donation campaign launched in Laos to support typhoon victims

The Vietnamese Embassy in Laos on September 15 launched a donation campaign to support people who have been affected by Typhoon Yagi.

The campaign, in response to the appeal of the General Secretary and President To Lam and Vietnam Fatherland Front, raised nearly 1.4 billion VND (57,000 USD) in just a few hours.

According to Chargé d'Affaires of the Embassy of Vietnam in Laos Phan Minh Chien, part of the donation will be given to typhoon-hit localities in northern Laos while the rest will be sent to typhoon victims in Vietnam.

As of 5:30 pm on September 15, Typhoon Yagi and its remnants have left 330 people dead or missing in Vietnam including 292 fatalities. It also caused severe flooding in Laos, Thailand and Myanmar, affecting thousands./.

Special TV programme held in support of typhoon victims

A special television programme was held by Vietnam Television (VTV) in the presence of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on September 15 to show support for people in the areas hit by super Typhoon Yagi and its accompanying flooding and landslides.

The event was also attended by Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Do Van Chien, Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang, Minister of Public Security Senior Lieutenant General Luong Tam Quang, and many other officials.

PM Chinh and other participants observed a minute of silence in commemoration of those dying in the disasters on recent days.

Through TV reports, guests’ sharing of thoughts, and musical performances, the programme looked back on the severe impacts of Typhoon Yagi, downpour, flooding, and landslides, resulting in heavy human and property losses, in the northern region.

It also told inspiring and moving stories about disaster response and aftermath settlement efforts, conveying a message that in their position, each Vietnamese can serve as a source of support for compatriots and the country in trying times.

The event also affirmed that amidst difficult and painful circumstances, the unyieldingness, solidarity, compatriot bonds and creativity, which are precious traditions of the nation, are the most steadfast source of spiritual support.

At the programme, PM Chinh presented gifts and gave encouragement to Nguyen Quoc Bao, born in 2016, whose father and elder sister were washed away by a flood while the three were riding a motorbike through a bridge in Cau Treo hamlet of Yen Thuan commune, Ham Yen district, Tuyen Quang province.

He also appreciated Captain Luc Van Nguyen, a policeman in Yen Thuan commune, who saved the boy from the flood and decided to sponsor Bao until he reaches the age of 18.

Highlighting the six fulcrums for Vietnam in the face of trying times and challenges, he said the first is the great national solidarity, which is the solidarity within the Party, the people, and the country, as well as with international friends.

The second is the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam over the last nearly 95 years, PM Chinh went on, noting the Party has no other goal than securing independence and freedom for the nation, and a prosperous and happy life for the people.

The third fulcrum is the pride-worthy and time-honoured historical and cultural traditions, including the spirit of mutual assistance, he pointed out.

The Government leader emphasised that the people who are the ones making history and creating strength provide the fourth fulcrum of the nation.

The fifth is the military and public security forces, which always work for the sake of the country and the people.

The last but not least is the spirit of self-reliance and resilience of the Vietnamese people. The more difficulties and challenges, the greater efforts they make to overcome their self-limitations and turn the impossible into the possible, according to him.

With the six fulcrums, PM Chinh called on all compatriots and cadres to redouble efforts and work around the clock to help address consequences of the storm in 26 northern provinces and cities, helping build a strong and prosperous country with increasing happiness and well-being for all.

As of 5:30pm on September 15, Typhoon Yagi and following downpours, flooding, and landslides had left 292 dead and 38 missing, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

They damaged nearly 232,000 houses, more than 190,000ha of rice, nearly 48,000ha of other crops, 32,000ha of fruit trees, along with 3,269 aquaculture cages. More than 2.6 million poultry and livestock were also killed.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment estimated material losses at about 40 trillion VND (over 1.6 billion USD)./.

VNA attends celebration of TASS’s 120th anniversary, BRICS Media Summit

A delegation of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) led by Deputy General Director Doan Thi Tuyet Nhung has attended a ceremony marking the 120th founding anniversary of the Russian News Agency TASS and the BRICS Media Summit in Moscow.

The celebration of the 120th founding anniversary of TASS (September 1, 1904 - 2024) took place on September 14, attracting a large number of representatives from news agencies and media outlets of Russia and other countries.

On this occasion, Nhung had a meeting with TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov to extend greetings and deliver a congratulatory letter from VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang.

In her letter, Trang lauded the unceasing development of TASS, which has excellently fulfilled its role as the official organ of the former Soviet Union and today’s Russia. She also stated that the all-round and fruitful cooperation between the VNA and TASS for the last nearly seven decades has contributed to the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Russia.

Talking to Kondrashov, Nhung appreciated TASS’s precious, substantive, and effective assistance for the VNA, including its bureau in Moscow, since they set up cooperative ties.

The VNA is working to become a key multimedia agency, and during that process, it wishes to learn from experiences of international media partners, including TASS, she noted, suggesting the two sides enhance cooperation and share experiences in journalism activities in the digital era, especially the application of modern technology and artificial intelligence (AI) to the production of news and the diversification of news distribution channels, along with experiences in coping with fake news.

She also conveyed the VNA General Director’s invitation to Kondrashov to visit the VNA in the near future.

Describing the VNA as a big friend of TASS, Kondrashov affirmed the readiness to share his agency’s experiences through cooperation activities between the two sides.

On September 14 - 15, the VNA delegation also participated in the BRICS Media Summit in Moscow.

The event, drawing representatives of 62 leading media agencies from 45 countries, discussed measures for boosting dialogue among media agencies of the BRIC Plus countries and fostering the common values of BRICS in the field of communications in the digital era, thus helping develop this organisation as a mechanism for promoting the idea of a multipolar world.

Granting an interview to TASS on this occasion, the VNA Deputy General Director stressed that the summit is a chance to strengthen connections in communications, share experience among BRICS and non-BRICS news agencies, and work out measures for improving the role of news agencies in the digital era, fueling the development of the press amid the fierce competition with social media, coordinating in fighting fake news, and effectively applying new technologies and AI to journalism and communication activities.

Attending the summit, the VNA hopes to stay updated with new trends of the global media while reinforcing collaboration with traditional partners and expanding relations with new ones. It also wishes to learn from other news and media agencies’ experiences in producing multimedia news, improving competitiveness on digital platforms, combating fake news, and expanding news distribution channels to further access the public in Vietnam and the world, thereby contributing to mutual understanding and cooperation with countries in and outside BRICS, the official added./.

Mid-Autumn Festival celebration held for children in Malaysia

The Malaysia-Vietnam Friendship Association (MVFA) organised a Mid-Autumn festival for children from Vietnamese families living and working in Malaysia on September 13-15 at BB Park centre in Kuala Lumpur.

Attending the programme, children have a chance to join many folk games and other activities, especailly learning how to make moon cakes and Dong Ho paintings.

In her opening speech, Tran Thi Chang, President of the MVFA, said that the association wishes to bring children experiences about national culture, helping them understand more and love traditional values of Vietnam.

Nguyen Ba Tan, First Secretary in charge of community affairs at the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia, praised the association for organising the event, saying that it is one of many activities contributing to fostering solidarity and love for the homeland, not only for children but also for the Vietnamese community in Malaysia.

The embassy took the occasion to call on the Vietnamese community in Malaysia to join hands to support people affected by super Typhoon Yagi in the homeland./.

More assistance delivered to typhoon, flood victims

The Vietnam News Agency (VNA), people nationwide, as well as overseas Vietnamese (OV) have continue joining hands in supporting recovery efforts by residents in the northern areas hit by Typhoon Yagi.

On September 14, a delegation of the VNA’s Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union chapter and Communications Development Centre visited and delivered aid to flood victims in Phu Tho province.

In Ha Hoa district, one of the worst-hit districts, the delegation presented 300 gift packages, mainly essential goods, and a large number of textbooks and school supplies worth nearly 200 million VND (8,100 USD) in total to residents in seriously flooded communes.

Initial statistics show that two people have died while one been injured in Ha Hoa. Meanwhile, over 4,300 households have had to evacuate due to flooding and landslides. Damage to educational, transport and irrigation infrastructure, along with agriculture is considerable.

Losses caused by Typhoon Yagi here are estimated at more than 143 billion VND.

On September 13 - 14, the Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of the southernmost province of Ca Mau held two fundraising programmes to support storm-hit people in the northern region. A total of 145.3 million VND was donated at these events.

Ca Mau has also donated 6.7 billion VND sourced from the local budget to the Central Relief Mobilisation Committee as well as nine localities hit hard by the storm and flooding.

Meanwhile, the Permanent Mission of Vietnam in Geneva and the Vietnamese Embassy in Switzerland held events on September 13 to call for donations to the affected people.

In Laos, the Vietnamese Consulate General in Pakse city of Champasak province, the General Association of Vietnamese People in Laos, and the Vietnamese People Association in Vientiane have also organised similar activities to raise support for storm victims in the homeland along with the northern Lao provinces affected by Yagi.

As of September 14 noon, the Vietnamese Consulate General in Pakse had raised 188 million LAK (8,500 USD), the General Association of Vietnamese People in Laos 175 million LAK, and the Vietnamese People Association in Vientiane over 100 million LAK.

On September 13, the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan held a teleconference on the fundraising where representatives of Vietnamese people’s associations in the country reported that many organisations in the community have actively responded to the campaign.

Via the Vietnam Fatherland Front, the Vietnamese community in Kansai donated 202 million VND while the Vietnamese People Association in Saitama gave 200 million VND in aid. The Union of Vietnamese Associations in Japan has also called for donations from the OV community across the Northeast Asian nation, collecting 512,000 JPY (3,600 USD) so far.

Typhoon Yagi, the most powerful in the East Sea in 30 years and in the Vietnamese mainland in 70 years, caused heavy human and property losses.

As of 6am on September 15, the storm and its accompanying downpours, flooding, and landslides had left 348 dead or missing and injured 1,921 others. They damaged nearly 232,000 houses, more than 190,000ha of rice, nearly 48,000ha of other crops, 32,000ha of fruit trees, along with 3,269 aquatic cages. More than 2.6 million poultry and livestock were also killed.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment estimated material losses at about 40 trillion VND (over 1.6 billion USD)./.

More foreign typhoon reliefs, donations come, UK pledges one million GBP in aid

A total of 40 water purifiers and 200 multi-purpose plastic tarpaulins donated by Japan are set to come to the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai on September 15 to be delivered to people in areas affected by heavy rains and floods triggered by super Typhoon Yagi. 

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki and representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) handed over the relief goods to Deputy Director of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD)'s Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Preventiona Vu Xuan Thanh at Noi Bai Internatial Airport on the same day morning. 

On September 14, a fund-raising programme for Vietnamese people affected by Typhoon Yagi organised in Tokyo by the Kanto Joho Union of Japan collected 200,000 JPY (nearly 1,420 USD). 

The event was held within the framework of the 12th Japanese eloquent contest for foreign workers hosted by the union. 

On the same day, the Vietnamese community in Saitama prefecture also raised 119,000 JPY for flood victims in the homeland. 

UK Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew on September 14 announced that the UK government will provide one million GBP in humanitarian aid to help Vietnam overcome the consequences of the natural disaster. 

On September 13 - 14, the MARD received three shipments from the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management (AHA Centre) and then transferred to Yen Bai and Lao Cai provinces./.

Vietnam, Thailand boost friendship through people-to-people diplomacy

The 13th joint meeting between the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Association (VTFA) and the Thailand-Vietnam Friendship Association (TVFA) took place in the eastern province of Chonburi, Thailand on September 13, highlighting the importance of people-to-people diplomacy for fostering the bilateral relations.

The annual meeting aimed to assess the results of cooperation since the previous meeting, as well as to discuss and set forth long-term cooperation orientations and specific collaborative activities between the two associations in the coming time.

Addressing the meeting, TVFA President Sanan Angubolkul expressed his sympathy over losses and difficulties caused by super Typhoon Yagi to many areas in Vietnam. He affirmed that people-to-people diplomacy will contribute to strengthening the bilateral relations between Vietnam and Thailand, and making the relationship between the two associations a model example of people-to-people diplomacy.

Sen. Lieut. Gen. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Thanh, President of the VTFA, expressed his pleasure at the flourishing development of the bilateral relations across fields such trade, tourism and culture, especially the inauguration of the first Vietnamese street in Thailand and the establishment of two centres for Vietnam studies at Royal Udon Thani University in Udon Thani province and the College of Asian Scholars in Khon Kaen.

He thanked leaders and people of Thailand for their sympathy towards the difficulties Vietnam faced due to Typhoon Yagi. He also extended his condolences and solidarity to Thailand and its people for the damage caused by severe floods currently affecting several north and northeast provinces.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung thanked leaders of the two associations for implementing practical and effective people-to-people diplomatic activities for the prosperous development of both countries, affirming that the embassy will continue to support activities of the two associations in the coming time, especially in preparation for the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Thailand diplomatic relations.

The two sides agreed to enhance several collaborative activities, including donating an ultrasound machine to Nam Dan district's medical centre in the central province of Nghe An of Vietnam; cooperating in human resources training; a ceremony to commemorate the 135th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh held by the Association of Thai-Vietnamese in Nakhon Phanom province; setting up twin relationship between the two nations' localities; and organising the 14th joint meeting of the two associations in Vietnam in 2025, among others.

As part of their working trip, the VTFA delegation attended a seminar on "Three connectivities" strategy between Vietnam and Thailand. Highlighting the importance of implementing this strategy, the Thai side affirmed that it will prioritise resources and leverage existing advantages between the two countries, particularly the special peope-to-people bond, to connect the Vietnam-Thailand sustainable development strategy for prosperous development of the two nation and the region./.

PM Chinh urges actions to settle typhoon aftermath, achieve growth target

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered prompt actions be taken to effectively settle the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, stabilise people’s life, and restore production and business activities to reach the unchanged economic growth target of 7%.

He made the request at a conference between permanent Government members and the localities hit by Typhoon Yagi on September 15.

Participants shared the view that the Politburo, the Government, the PM, ministries, sectors, and localities gave directions early and from afar and kept a close watch on the progress of the storm and flooding. Forces, especially military, police, and grassroots ones, seriously complied with the PM’s instructions while people stayed united and properly carried out storm response and aftermath settlement.

However, the most powerful typhoon in the East Sea in 30 years and in the Vietnamese mainland in 70 years, which moved fast, covered a vast area, sustained its strength for a long time, and triggered widespread downpour and flooding, caused heavy human and property losses.

As of 6am on September 15, the storm and its accompanying downpours, flooding, and landslides had left 348 dead or missing and injured 1,921 others. They damaged nearly 232,000 houses, more than 190,000ha of rice, nearly 48,000ha of other crops, 32,000ha of fruit trees, along with 3,269 aquaculture cages. More than 2.6 million poultry and livestock were also killed.

The Ministry of Planning and Investment estimated material losses at about 40 trillion VND (over 1.6 billion USD).

PM Chinh conveyed sympathies from the Politburo, the Party Central Committee Secretariat, Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, as well as other Party and State leaders to the affected localities, agencies, units, and especially the families whose members were dead, missing, or injured in the super typhoon.

He also expressed gratitude to the frontline forces, including police and military, for their bravery and sacrifice, people and business for their solidarity and good deeds, along with other countries and international friends for their assistance.

The Government has allocated more than 350 billion VND and 300 tonnes of rice to the Yagi-hit localities, and more will be delivered. The Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee also held a ceremony to call for donations to the affected provinces and cities, raising over 1 trillion VND so far, he noted.

Outlining some key tasks, the Government leader emphasised the targets of ensuring no one faces food, clothes, water, or living place shortages; promptly and effectively addressing the aftermath; quickly stabilising people’s situation; soon resuming production and business activities; properly controlling inflation and striving for an economic growth rate of 7%; keeping political stability, social order and safety; enhancing international cooperation and maintaining an environment of peace, cooperation, and development.

Given this, PM Chinh demanded focus be put on searching for the missing, treating the injured, and holding burial services for the dead; giving support to the families with dead or injured members; delivering food, clean water and other essential supplies to people, especially in isolated areas; cleaning up the environment; preventing disease outbreaks; keeping electricity, telecommunications, and essential services uninterrupted; and quickly repairing health and educational establishments.

Sectors and localities need to continue reviewing damage suffered by the State and people, arrange safe living places for those made homeless by the storm and complete this work by December 31, restore traffic, guarantee social security and ensure no one is left behind, devise support policies for the affected families, and exempt or reduce school fees for students in impacted areas.

In addition, the PM asked for reviewing damage suffered by production and business establishments to provide recovery support to prevent supply chain disruptions.

He suggested the State Bank of Vietnam and the banking system consider extending debt repayment deadlines or launching zero-interest-rate loan packages while the Ministry of Finance consider reducing or extending payment deadlines for taxes, fees, and charges.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade was told to guarantee the supply of input materials for production and business. Meanwhile, the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies was requested to devise lending plans for households.

Besides, he demanded strongly promoting public investment disbursement and the national target programmes; ensuring budget collection along with fuel, power and water supply; efficiently using the donations and preventing corruption, wastefulness and profiteering; guaranteeing sufficient goods and materials for production and business; controlling prices; renewing the three traditional growth drivers of investment, export, and consumption; bolstering new growth drivers; restructuring crop and animal farming; aligning production and business activities with local conditions; and pressing on with diversifying markets, products, and supply chains.

PM Chinh asked ministries, sectors, and localities to actively, promptly, and fruitfully implement the abovementioned tasks, calling for joint efforts to achieve the set targets./.

PM chairs online conference on addressing Typhoon Yagi's aftermath

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired an online conference of permanent Government members with representatives of localities affected by Typhoon Yagi on September 15 morning to discuss urgent solutions to overcoming post-storm consequences, supporting people and enterprises in stabilising life and restoring production and business activities.

The event was connected to the Standing Office of the National Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control and 26 northern provinces and cities.

With the spirit of "all for the people, for the country's development," the PM requested participants to review the situation, discuss, give opinions, and propose tasks and solutions to urgently address the aftermath, quickly stabilise life, resume production and business activities, thus promoting economic growth.

Since the super typhoon formed and entered the East Sea, with a risk of affecting Vietnam's mainland, the Politburo and the Government have directed and closely monitored developments to have prompt response. Leaders of the Party, State, and members of the Politburo have directly visited affected areas to inspect and urge efforts in preventing, responding to, and addressing the consequences caused by the natural disaster.

Notably, the Prime Minister issued nine urgent dispatches directing the work of preventing, responding to, and overcoming the consequences of the typhoonas well as subsequent floods, landslides, and inundation; ensuring the safety of Thac Ba hydropower reservoir in Yen Bai province, Hoang Long dike in Ninh Binh province; and regulating the hydropower reservoirs in Lai Chau, Son La, and Hoa Binh provinces. Relevant ministries, sectors, and local authorities, especially key forces, have coordinated closely and directly participated in preventing, combating, responding to, and overcoming the consequences of the storm.

The public trusted, supported, and stayed united in implementing disaster prevention, response, and recovery efforts in accordance with the guidance, contributing to minimising damage.

According to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, the Government, the PM, and relevant ministries, sectors and local authorities proactively directed early and from afar and kept close watch on the developments of the storm and floods.

The forces, particularly the army, police, and grassroots disaster response forces, have strictly adhered to the PM's directions, thereby guiding 51,319 fishing boats and vehicles, transport ships operating at sea with 219,913 people to leave dangerous areas or stay at safe shelters; organising the evacuation of 52,979 people on fish farms, aquaculture watchtowers, and weak houses to safe places; evacuating and relocating 74,526 households with 130,246 people in flood-prone areas to safe locations.

The army have mobilised 438,275 personnel and 6,642 vehicles to respond to the typhoon; 107,911 personnel and 2,142 vehicles to address floods, landslides, and flash floods. Meanwhile, more than 150,000 police officers and soldiers have been mobilised to participate in the response and recovery efforts following Typhoon Yagi. Local authorities, disaster response teams, youth unions, and other forces have been also mobilised to implement response measures and address the disaster aftermath.

Party committees and local authorities have effectively directed communication efforts, providing timely information for the public about the developments of the storm and floods, as well as directions from the Government, the PM, and disaster response and search and rescue agencies at all levels, to ensure proactive respond to the natural disasters.

Statistics from localities show that as of 6:00 am on September 15, heavy rains and floods, landslides triggered by super Typhoon Yagi, one of the strongest to hit Vietnam in decades, had left 281 dead and 67 missing, and 1,921 injuries. Nearly 232,000 houses were damaged; over 190,000 ha of rice fields, almost 48,000 ha of crops and nearly 32,000 ha of fruit trees were inundated and devastated; 3,269 fish farming cages were destroyed or swept away; and over 2.6 million poultry and cattle died.

Many shops, offices, and schools were unroofed and damaged; numerous electricity and telecommunication poles and mobile network towers were toppled; and urban trees were uprooted or broken. There were widespread power outages and communication disruptions in Quang Ninh, Hai Phong, Thai Binh, Hai Duong and Hanoi./.

Vietnam’s National Day marked in France, Mexico

The Vietnamese Embassy in France held a ceremony in Paris on September 13 to celebrate the 79th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and the National Day (September 2).

The ceremony was attended by Benoit Guidée, Director for Asia and Oceania at the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs; Simona Mirela Miculescu, President of the 42nd session of the General Conference of UNESCO; along with nearly 500 guests who are representatives from relevant French agencies, friendship associations with Vietnam, diplomatic missions, international organisations, Vietnamese associations in France, overseas Vietnamese, and French friends.

Stressing the significance of the celebration of the 79th anniversary of the August Revolution and the National Day, Vietnamese Ambassador Dinh Toan Thang highlighted major events marking new milestones in Vietnam-France relations, including the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory in Vietnam, which was attended for the first time by French Minister of Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu and Secretary of State for Veterans and Memory Patricia Miralles, and the 8th session of the Vietnam-France High-Level Dialogue on Economy in Paris.

In his message to representatives of international organisations based in Paris, Thang stated that in the face of complex challenges of the 21st century, international cooperation is more essential than ever. Therefore, Vietnam is determined to play an active role in building a more just, sustainable, and prosperous world.

Benoit Guidée stated that 2024 is a year to further deepen the relationship between France and Vietnam along three main axes: strengthening the partnership to enhance sovereignty in all aspects, establishing conditions for sustainable development, and diversifying forms of exchange between the people of the two countries.

At the event, participants enjoyed a special art programme performed by both Vietnamese and French artists, and tasted Vietnam’s traditional dishes.

Earlier on September 12, a similar ceremony was held by the Vietnamese Embassy in Mexico.

Congratulating the Vietnamese people on this occasion, Director General for Asia-Pacific at the Mexican Foreign Ministry Fernando González-Saiffe said that over the past 49 years since the two countries established their diplomatic relations, Vietnam has consistently been Mexico's leading political partner in the Southeast Asian region.

Vietnam is now Mexico's 10th largest trading partner globally, surpassing traditional partners such as Spain, India, Italy, France, and the United Kingdom, he noted, adding that this provides a solid foundation for the two countries to elevate their relationship to a comprehensive partnership in the coming time.

Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Van Hai stressed that throughout its struggle for national independence and development, Vietnam has received invaluable support and assistance from the international community, including Mexico. This positive relationship has been increasingly expanded across various fields, from politics and economics to cultural diplomacy, and is reflected in the mutual support at international forums such as the United Nations and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum./.

Vietnam calls for int’l cooperation in response to climate change

International cooperation is the key to handle damage caused by climate change, ensuring that no one is left behind, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organisation, and other international organisations in Geneva said on September 13.

Delivering a speech at the dialogue on the UN General Secretary’s report on human rights and climate change as part of the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council, the Vietnamese diplomat affirmed that climate change has left severe impacts on the enjoyment of basic human rights.

Typhoon Yagi hammering in the Philippines, China and Vietnam, and floods in Bangladesh, he said, were vivid illustrations for the damaging influence of the extreme weather patterns, elaborating they not only created great human loss but also forced the people to leave their homes, and destroyed infrastructure, affecting long-term economic development.

Dung particularly stressed that vulnerable groups such as women, children, and people in developing countries are bearing the brunt of the consequences, highlighting it is necessary to pen equal solutions, and prioritise support for the hardest-hit people, helping them develop resilient capacity in the future.

He called on the international community to increase financial resources, and put in place human-right based measures to address the losses caused by climate change.

The 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council, lasting for five weeks, features various programmes, including six discussions on economic, cultural and social rights./.

Top Lao leader’s visit a milestone in Vietnam – Laos special solidarity: Party official

The state visit to Vietnam by General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith is a milestone, helping enhance the comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and States, elevate the bilateral relations to a new high, and contributing to peace, stability, development, cooperation and development in the region and the world, according to a Party official.

Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and head of its Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung told the press that the visit was a vivid demonstration for the importance that the two Parties and States attach to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

During his stay in Vietnam from September 10-13, the Lao leader held talks with Party General Secretary and President To Lam, meetings with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, former Vietnamese leaders, voluntary soldiers and experts.

Trung highlighted that the two leaders concurred to continue promoting the relations between the two Parties, States and peoples to a new high, and spent time discussing orientations to bolster the ties in a deep, substantive and effective manner across areas.

They consented to deepen political relations, enhance mutual understanding, and reinforce trust, which are the core guidelines for the overall relationship between the two countries, enhance information sharing, discussions and close coordination in strategic issues and policies related to security and development in each nation, step up theoretical discussions, especially on new issues, and raise public awareness of the special relations, particularly the youth and armed forces.

They reached consensus on the necessity to create breakthroughs in cooperation across economy, culture, education, and science-technique on the basis of capitalising on each country’s strengths and potential, as well as accelerate the effective implementation of agreements between sectors and branches of both sides.

They also discussed measures to remove bottlenecks, and create favourable legal frameworks for cooperation, particularly creating breakthroughs in economic cooperation, improving the quality and efficiency of cooperation and investment, including infrastructure connectivity projects.

According to Trung, the two leaders agreed to strengthen their defence and security cooperation to respond to increasingly diverse and complicated security threats, better the efficacy of cooperation between agencies of the two Parties, States, and organisations, while supporting each other in socio-economic development, and maintaining security, and stability in border areas.

Besides, they were unanimous to back each other at regional and international forums, enhance coordination in the management, and equal and effective use of Mekong River and related resources.

The East Sea issue was also on the table as the two leaders laid stress on ASEAN’s stance on the issue, and the significance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the water, as well as handling disputes via peaceful means and in accordance with international law.

Trung said that with a view to concretising the common perceptions reached between the two leaders, ministries, sectors and localities must be well aware of the meaning, and value of the Vietnam – Laos special relations, build specific programmes and plans to promote cooperation across areas, and work closely to remove roadblocks while implementing their collaboration agreements./.

Top Lao leader’s visit a milestone in Vietnam – Laos special solidarity: Party official

The state visit to Vietnam by General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith is a milestone, helping enhance the comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and States, elevate the bilateral relations to a new high, and contributing to peace, stability, development, cooperation and development in the region and the world, according to a Party official.

Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and head of its Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung told the press that the visit was a vivid demonstration for the importance that the two Parties and States attach to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

During his stay in Vietnam from September 10-13, the Lao leader held talks with Party General Secretary and President To Lam, meetings with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, former Vietnamese leaders, voluntary soldiers and experts.

Trung highlighted that the two leaders concurred to continue promoting the relations between the two Parties, States and peoples to a new high, and spent time discussing orientations to bolster the ties in a deep, substantive and effective manner across areas.

They consented to deepen political relations, enhance mutual understanding, and reinforce trust, which are the core guidelines for the overall relationship between the two countries, enhance information sharing, discussions and close coordination in strategic issues and policies related to security and development in each nation, step up theoretical discussions, especially on new issues, and raise public awareness of the special relations, particularly the youth and armed forces.

They reached consensus on the necessity to create breakthroughs in cooperation across economy, culture, education, and science-technique on the basis of capitalising on each country’s strengths and potential, as well as accelerate the effective implementation of agreements between sectors and branches of both sides.

They also discussed measures to remove bottlenecks, and create favourable legal frameworks for cooperation, particularly creating breakthroughs in economic cooperation, improving the quality and efficiency of cooperation and investment, including infrastructure connectivity projects.

According to Trung, the two leaders agreed to strengthen their defence and security cooperation to respond to increasingly diverse and complicated security threats, better the efficacy of cooperation between agencies of the two Parties, States, and organisations, while supporting each other in socio-economic development, and maintaining security, and stability in border areas.

Besides, they were unanimous to back each other at regional and international forums, enhance coordination in the management, and equal and effective use of Mekong River and related resources.

The East Sea issue was also on the table as the two leaders laid stress on ASEAN’s stance on the issue, and the significance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the water, as well as handling disputes via peaceful means and in accordance with international law.

Trung said that with a view to concretising the common perceptions reached between the two leaders, ministries, sectors and localities must be well aware of the meaning, and value of the Vietnam – Laos special relations, build specific programmes and plans to promote cooperation across areas, and work closely to remove roadblocks while implementing their collaboration agreements./.

Cuban foreign minister spotlights special relations with Vietnam

Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla has reasserted the solidarity, special friendship, and fraternal bond between the peoples of Cuba and Vietnam while receiving Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long.

At their meeting on September 13, Bruno Rodríguez highlighted the strong bilateral political exchange at the highest leadership level.

He once again extended his condolences to the Vietnamese people on the passing of late Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, who made significant contributions to the bilateral relations.

Also sending his sympathies to the Vietnamese Government and people for human and asset losses caused by Typhoon Yagi, the minister announced that Cuba is ready to assist Vietnam in mitigating the aftermath of natural disasters.

Long, on behalf of the Vietnamese Party and Government, thanked Cuban leaders for their sympathy as well as for Cuba’s timely assistance during natural disasters. He affirmed that this noble gesture demonstrates the special Vietnam-Cuba relationship.

The diplomat reiterated Vietnam's steadfast position in calling on the US to lift its embargo against Cuba, affirming that the Vietnamese Government remains ready to promote investment and trade with, and support Cuba in food production.

He also pledged to do his utmost to nurture the friendship and cooperation between the two countries./.

Vietnam calls for efforts to ensure human rights for all

Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), World Trade Organisation, and other international organisations in Geneva, has recently delivered a speech at a general debate on UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk’s Global Update on the human rights situation, held within the framework of the 57th session of the UN Human Rights Council.

Dung highly valued the active role and efforts of the UN High Commissioner in advancing the work of the UNHRC, while affirming Vietnam's support for the activities of the Office of the High Commissioner in promoting and protecting human rights amidst ongoing conflicts and crises around the world.

He highlighted Vietnam's development policy, which places people at the centre, and views them as not only the subject but also the goal and the driving force of development towards achieving sustainable development goals.

The ambassador stressed the need to promote initiatives and actions at national, regional, and international levels to address the negative impacts of global challenges such as climate change and food insecurity, which are threatening the enjoyment of human rights for people worldwide, especially vulnerable groups, as well as the ability to achieve sustainable development goals.

He reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to fostering practical dialogue and effective cooperation with all UN member states and human rights mechanisms.

Dung also expressed regret over the fact that the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and some countries have mentioned Vietnam based on one-sided, inaccurate, and unverified information. He clarified that Vietnam supports fundamental principles of universality, fairness, objectivity, non-selectivity, and non-interference in the internal affairs of nations.

On September 11, Ambassador Dung attended and delivered a speech at a panel discussion on promoting and protecting economic, social and cultural rights within the context of addressing inequalities.

He highlighted the importance of timely international cooperation, given that many countries are facing significant challenges in advancing and protecting economic, social, and cultural rights, which have been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, climate change, and economic instability; and many are struggling to ensure that vulnerable and disadvantaged groups have access to basic services such as healthcare, education, and social protection.

As for Vietnam, the diplomat emphasised significant progress in poverty reduction, expanding universal healthcare, and improving access to education through comprehensive development policies and international cooperation. He also noted challenges, particularly in ensuring that rapid economic growth does not leave anyone behind, especially in rural and remote areas.

At the UNHRC’s 57th session, held in Geneva from September 9 to October 11, Vietnam continues to work actively as a member of the Council for the 2023-2025 term. During this session, the Council will adopt Vietnam’s report of the fourth-cycle Universal Periodic Review (UPR) Working Group./.

Digital library space on southern region inaugurated

The Nguyen An Ninh Digital Library Space was inaugurated on September 14 at the Ho Chi Minh City Book Street, allowing readers to learn more about the history, culture and people of Vietnam’s southern region.

Quach Thu Nguyet, chairwoman of the Board of Management of the Hoa Sen Fund, said the space will serve as a digital data centre, including documents and materials related to the southern region.

The library will not only help people in the country, but also overseas Vietnamese and young generations to gain more insights into the history, geography, and culture of the southern region, she added.

Furthermore, this will also be an ideal place for readers to share, exchange, and learn through various forms in order to inspire and arouse the spirit of education, as well as dedication to learning and research.

The experience space will also host an exhibition taking place from September 14 to September 23.

Provinces and cities work on cleanup, treating patients after Typhoon Yagi

Typhoon Yagi has caused serious damage in many northern provinces and cities. Along with the Government, localities have been making every effort to rescue people and property and overcome the storm's consequences to quickly stabilise people's lives.

Lào Cai Province suffered great damage to both people and infrastructure after Typhoon Yagi.

The entire political system, including the health sector, is struggling to cure patients and clean up the environment in localities that experienced severe flooding.

As of 2pm on Thursday, the Lào Cai Department of Health has recorded two cases of medical staff who died or were injured in the typhoon.

Thào Seo Pao, 42, deputy head of the Tả Củ Tỷ Commune Medical Station in Bắc Hà District, tragically lost his life in the floods.

At around 5.30pm on Monday, he was swept away by water on his way home from work. The authorities found his body and handed it over to his family for funeral arrangements.

Meanwhile Đỗ Văn Triển, 48, a medical station worker, was injured in the storm.

Damage to facilities at medical stations was also quite severe.

Thirteen medical stations and three hospitals in Lào Cai were affected, facing difficulties in examining and treating people.

On Monday night, the Bảo Yên District General Hospital was inundated by floodwater about one metre deep.

But despite these obstacles, authorities continue to actively rescue patients.

As of noon on Thursday, medical facilities in the province had registered 128 injured people. Of these, 40 people came from Bắc Hà District.

The provincial general hospital has directed specialised wards including emergency, intensive care and surgery to fully prepare equipment and medicine – as well as dedicate their workforce – to cure patients.

In addition, the hospital is working to ensure that the telemedicine line maintains a good connection with central hospitals to promptly consult and support treatment through the remote medical examination and treatment system.

Chairman of the Lào Cai Province People's Committee Trịnh Xuân Trường on Thursday asked the Department of Health to monitor the population for infectious diseases that could occur after the typhoon, such as diarrhea, pink eye, respiratory infections, athlete's foot, flu and dengue fever.

The health department needs to be particularly on guard against digestive diseases such as diarrhea, cholera, dysentery and typhoid.

The department has requested the Ministry of Health to support an additional 2,700kg of environmental disinfectant chemicals Cloramin B and 1,000,000 tablets to disinfect drinking water.

As of Thursday, about 15,800 households in the province had been affected by Typhoon Yagi.

Lào Cai has deployed disinfection spraying in schools, markets, households and flooded areas.

Currently, units are actively implementing environmental sanitation work to ensure that no epidemics arise after the typhoon.

Deputy Chairman of the Bắc Giang Province People’s Committee Lê Ô Pích said that in the days to come, the province will focus on collecting and treating waste.

To ensure a green, clean and beautiful environment, Bắc Giang will continue to maintain environmental sanitation, collect and treat waste.

The province is calling for active participation of political and social organisations as well as local residents in the cleanup.

Districts will invest in specialised garbage transport vehicles for waste collection that are suitable for local routes, optimising transportation of waste in the area.

Bắc Giang also plans to upgrade the existing waste treatment areas, speeding up investment and construction to rapidly open centralised waste treatment plants for public use in Việt Yên Town, Bắc Giang City and Lục Nam District.

Currently, the total volume of waste generated in the province is 965.5 tonnes per day.

The province has established 171 companies, cooperatives and environmental sanitation teams specialising in collecting, transporting and treating waste.

Localities arranged more than 1,100 waste collection points in the area's communes and villages. 

Việt Nam faces delays in social housing construction

Social housing development in Việt Nam is facing significant delays, particularly in major cities such as HCM City and Hà Nội.

As of mid-July, the country completed 79 projects with about 40,700 apartments, just 10 per cent of the 2025 targets, according to a Ministry of Construction report.

Hà Nội needs to build 18,700 social housing apartments by the end of 2025 but has only completed 5,200, achieving 37 per cent of its goal, according to the report.

Similarly, HCM City aims to construct 26,200 social housing apartments by the end of next year but has only finished over 1,200, reaching 21 per cent of its target.

Several provinces, including Thái Nguyên, Ninh Bình, Nam Định, Quảng Bình, Thừa Thiên-Huế, Bạc Liêu and Cà Mau, have demand for social housing but lack implementation plans, according to the report.

Conversely, some provinces have exceeded their social housing development targets such as Khánh Hòa (104 per cent), Thanh Hóa (74 per cent), and Hậu Giang (53 per cent).

Other localities are seeking investment for social housing projects such as provinces of Bắc Ninh (16 projects), Thanh Hóa (10 projects) and Đồng Nai (eight projects), and Hải Phòng City (nine projects), according to the report.

The construction ministry is collaborating with the central bank to study a new State-funded credit package of VNĐ30 trillion ($1.2 billion) for social housing, which will be managed by the Vietnam Social Policy Bank.

The package will replace the current ineffective VNĐ120 trillion plan, which relies solely on commercial banks.

Currently, the existing package has seen sluggish disbursement, with only about 1 per cent utilised in a year.

The new funding will focus on low-income homebuyers, enabling loans for purchasing and renting social housing.

It will be sourced from government bonds and local budgets, with an emphasis on prioritising social housing loans.

The Government has reiterated its commitment to social housing development with an aim to build at least one million social housing units across Việt Nam by 2030. 

Ministry of Health urges supply of medician in flood-hit areas

The Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health emphasised the urgent need to ensure an adequate supply of medician for disease prevention and treatment for those affected by Typhoon Yagi, as well as floods and landslides in the northern region.

Dr Trần Đắc Phu, Senior Advisor at the Việt Nam Public Health Emergency Operations Centre, said that residents in areas affected by heavy rain and flooding are highly susceptible to gastrointestinal diseases due to contaminated water, unsafe food and poor sanitation conditions.

Common diseases in these situations include trench foot, other skin conditions, colds, flu and eye infections. The humid environment and stagnant water in household items also create breeding grounds for mosquitoes, making dengue fever highly contagious.

The immediate priority is to quickly supply enough medications to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases following the typhoon and floods.

Currently, Hà Nội’s health sector has established mobile emergency teams ready to respond to potential emergencies.

The city's health department has also directed units to investigate and list flood-prone areas to develop plans for disease prevention, ensuring clean water, sanitation and food safety.

Additionally, the department has asked units to prepare essential medications for common post-flood illnesses and chemicals such as Chloramine B to treat contaminated water.

In an official dispatch sent to localities to strengthen food safety measures and address the aftermath of Typhoon Yagi, the Department of Food Hygiene and Safety encouraged residents in flood-affected and isolated areas to consume ready-to-eat foods like dry rations, instant noodles, and bottled water.

The Ministry of Health also urged local food hygiene and safety sub-departments to guide people in selecting, preparing, and consuming safe food. Under no circumstances should livestock or poultry that have died be used for food or processed.

If water sources like wells are flooded, they must be filtered and disinfected before use according to health department guidelines. Flood-contaminated or spoiled food must not be consumed. 

Local communities play crucial role in geopark conservation: symposium

The 8th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network (APGN) Symposium wrapped up in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang on September 15.

With the theme of “Local/indigenous people and sustainable development in Geoparks,” the four-day event issued the Cao Bang joint statement that highlights the role of local or indigenous communities in the preservation and management work.

Relevant stakeholders, as well as local and regional authorities should be representatives in the management of UNESCO Global Geoparks, according to the document.

In order to enhance the empowerment of local communities and attract more visitors, the network identifies, protects, and optimises the use of intangible heritage to tell stories about geological processes, history, culture, as well as the rituals and beliefs of locals, it said.

Participants also emphasised the need to protect and promote all local or indigenous languages, as well as the existing knowledge systems within the territory of the geoparks.

The statement stressed the important role of geoparks in the implementation of 17 goals set in the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, especially those on poverty reduction, quality education, and stronger partnerships for climate action, inequality reduction, and gender equality.

The participants called for for further actions to materialise initiatives at local, regional, and international levels, with the aim of establishing a comprehensive framework for the conservation and sustainable development of geoparks, and building a long-term vision for the network.

The 9th Asia Pacific Geoparks Network is scheduled to be held in Kedah, Malaysia, in 2026.

Cao Bang is home to Non Nuoc Cao Bang, which was recognised as a UNESCO Global Geopark in 2018. The geopark covers the six districts of Ha Quang, Tra Linh, Quang Yen, Trung Khanh, Ha Lang and Phuc Hoa, and part of Hoa An, Nguyen Binh and Thach An districts.

The geopark is home to nine ethnic groups including Tay, Nung, Mong, Dao and San Chay.It is an exceptional territory which offers insights into the history of our planet across more than 500 million years through protected sites. Fossils, marine sediment, volcanic and plutonic rocks and minerals are witness to the remarkable evolution and changes of our planet, and they constitute an exceptional geological heritage.

It is also a land of tangible and intangible cultural heritage sites and special historical monuments. The area is also well-known for its high biological diversity with abundant endemic plant and animal species and ecosystems./.

India helps ASEAN countries address typhoon consequences

India on September 15 launched Operation Sadbhav to provide humanitarian assistance and disaster relief to Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam that have been hit by typhoon Yagi and severe subsequent flooding.

India has committed 1 million USD worth of flood relief assistance to Vietnam and 100,000 USD to Laos, the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) announced.

Following this, the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have swung into action deploying ships and aircraft to ferry the assistance.

Specifically, 10 tonnes of aid, including dry ration, clothing and medicines left for Myanmar onboard INS Satpura on September 15.

IAF is carrying 35 tonnes of aid comprising water purification items, water containers, blankets, kitchen utensils, solar lanterns for Vietnam. Ten tonnes comprising genset, water purification items, hygiene supplies, mosquito nets, blankets and sleeping bags are being sent to Laos.

Yagi is said to be the strongest in many years in Asia. It made landfall in Vietnam on September 7. As of 5:30pm on September 15, the typhoon and following downpours, flooding, and landslides had left 292 dead and 38 missing, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development.

They damaged over 230,000 houses, more than 190,000ha of rice, nearly 48,000ha of other crops, 32,000ha of fruit trees, along with 3,269 aquaculture cages. More than 2.6 million poultry and livestock were also killed./.

VTV broadcasts animation on natural disaster

Việt Nam Televison (VTV) channel 3 has started broadcasting an animation series entitled An Toàn Cho Con (Safe for Children) about disaster prevention and control.

Starting on September 14, Safe for Children revolves around stories of dangerous natural phenomena and how to respond to natural disasters. 

The series features two little characters, Bi and Bông, with support from the Disaster Prevention Genius Squad. It aims to help small television viewers learn life skills to protect themselves. 

Young children will be provided knowledge on recognising different types of natural disasters and learn skills to prevent, respond and overcome the consequences of natural disasters such as storms, tropical depressions, flash floods and landslides in a child-friendly and accessible way.

They will immerse themselves in vivid life stories and situations featuring natural disasters.

"The north of Việt Nam has suffered a historic storm and flooding, so the timely production and broadcasting of ten episodes on the topic of natural disaster prevention is a very meaningful and necessary action," said Trịnh Thu Hường, the series producer.

This is the second consecutive year that the series on natural disaster prevention and control has been produced with the co-ordination of the Department of Dyke Management and Natural Disaster Prevention and United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) Việt Nam, with sponsorship from the Japanese government. 

Safe for Children will be broadcast on VTV3 at 5.50pm every Saturday and Sunday. Reruns will be shown on VTV5 at 10.25am on Monday and Friday. The animation series is also broadcast on platforms VTV.vn, VTVgo and the YouTube channel Safe for Children.

Strongest players to take part in national tennis champs

The National Tennis Championships will be held from September 16-22 in Ninh Bình Province.

The domestic largest competition features more than 100 athletes from many cities and provinces. The national strongest players have registered to vie for the men's and women's singles, doubles, and mixed doubles events.

Among them are oversea Vietnamese Thái Sơn Kwiatkowski, veterans Lê Quốc Khánh and Hoàng Thành Trung along with rising stars such as Nguyễn Minh Phát, Từ Lê Khánh Duy and Nguyễn Văn Phương.

In the women's side, focuses will be Demi Trần, Ngô Hồng Hạnh and Sophia Huỳnh Trần Ngọc Nhi.

The championships' results will be key elements for coaches to pick national teams' members for the upcoming international tournaments.

In addition to the competitive matches, organisers hope that the sport activities would help the host side, Ninh Bình Province, promote their tourism industry and popularise the local natural beauty and historic sites to larger community.

While the whole nation is joining hands to overcome the consequences of Typhoon Yagi and the serious floods occurring in the North, the Việt Nam Tennis Federation (VTF) and the tournament's organising committee call competitors, coaches, staff and local fans to take part in a strategy to support for the people in need.

Donation period is from September 11-22 at the competition venue and from September 23-30 as people can transfer to the VTF's Account Number 5759626221966 at the MB Bank. 

VNA/VNS/VOV/VNN