Australia Senate President visits Bac Ninh humanitarian vocational training centre

President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines visited the KOTO humanitarian vocational training centre in Tien Du district, the northern province of Bac Ninh, on August 26 as part of her official visit to Vietnam.

President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines visits the KOTO humanitarian vocational training centre in Tien Du district, Bac Ninh province on August 26. (Photo: VNA)
President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines visits the KOTO humanitarian vocational training centre in Tien Du district, Bac Ninh province on August 26. (Photo: VNA)

Bac Ninh (VNA) - President of the Australian Senate Sue Lines visited the KOTO humanitarian vocational training centre in Tien Du district, the northern province of Bac Ninh, on August 26 as part of her official visit to Vietnam.

The Australian guest engaged in discussions, and joined several activities at the centre.

Founded in 2001 by Jimmy Pham, an Australian of the Vietnamese origin, the KOTO centre is a unique non-profit social enterprise in Vietnam and globally. Over the recent times, the Australian government has shown considerable interest in and provided support for the centre's humanitarian and social activities.

The centre provides vocational training for nearly 120 students. It covers 100% of the living and training expenses for disadvantaged youth, ethnic minorities, and those at risk or marginalised. More than 1,700 students have graduated from the centre since its establishment, with many of them becoming head chefs, sous chefs, hotel and resort general managers, and business owners.

The Australian official highly valued training activities of the centre, expressing her hope that the establishment will continue to better its humanitarian and training efforts to support more disadvantaged youth, thereby spreading positive values and contributing to families and society.

The same day morning, she laid a wreath and visited President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum in Hanoi./.

VNA

See more

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang hosts a delegation of distinguished expatriates attending the Homeland Spring 2026 programme on February 6, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Overseas Vietnamese invited to partner in Hanoi’s sustainable growth

Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Vu Dai Thang highlighted the important role of OV intellectuals and scientists, affirming the city’s commitment to facilitating their participation, removing obstacles and expanding consultation channels to incorporate their input.

Chairwoman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Bui Thi Minh Hoai presents certificates of merit to collectives and individuals abroad for mobilising and uniting OVs to participate in patriotic emulation movements and campaigns launched by the VFF. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam Fatherland Front cherishes OV contributions

Speaking at a meeting honouring outstanding OV collectives and individuals in 2025 held in Hanoi on February 8, Chairwoman of the VFF Central Committee Bui Thi Minh Hoai highlighted that overseas Vietnamese's achievements vividly reflect the enduring qualities of the Vietnamese people: perseverance, resilience and a constant aspiration to rise in life.

Advances in technology brings multimedia approaches to books to people and readers across the country, shaping new reading habits that keep pace with contemporary trends. (Photo: vov.vn)

Digital publishing is central to Vietnam's media landscape

According to the Publishing, Printing and Distribution Department under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the sector recorded encouraging results in 2025. Revenue from publishing and distribution activities was estimated at 5.23 trillion VND (201 million USD), up 8.96% year-on-year.

State President Luong Cuong offers incense at Ly Thai Tho Monument in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

State President, OVs offer incense at Ly Thai To Monument, Ngoc Son Temple

The State President, his spouse and the delegates respectfully offered incense in remembrance of King Ly Thai To and the forebears who built and defended Thang Long – Hanoi over a thousand years of history, as well as safeguarded the nation and enriched its invaluable cultural and historical heritage.

A performance at the meeting with over 1,000 overseas Vietnamese in Ho Chi Minh City on February 6 evening to celebrate the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet). (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City hosts pre-Tet gathering with overseas Vietnamese

Nguyen Van Duoc, Deputy Secretary of the municipal Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, attributed the southern metropolis’s socio-economic development achievements partly to important contributions by OV entrepreneurs, scientists, experts, and intellectuals worldwide through investment activities, knowledge transfer, market connection, and promotion of the city’s image.

Aerial view of Co To Island. (Photo: VNA)

Co To to offer free vessel trips to/from island on 29th day of last lunar month

To meet rising demand from residents returning home for Tet and visitors travelling to the island, transport operators in Co To will continue daily passenger and cargo services to/from the island until the 29th day of the last lunar month, with operations resuming from the second day of the first lunar month (February 18).

PM orders stronger transport measures to ensure traffic safety during Tet. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

PM orders stronger transport measures to ensure traffic safety during Tet

To accommodate surging travel demand and keep transport operations running smoothly, the PM instructed relevant bodies to boost transport capacity, particularly public passenger services, to ensure seamless connections at railway stations, airports, bus terminals and ferry ports. Authorities were told to ensure that no travellers are left stranded or delayed in returning home for Tet due to a shortage of transport, while strictly preventing fare gouging and unlawful price hikes. Proactive measures to curb traffic accidents and congestion during the peak holiday period were also highlighted.

Politburo member and Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu presents gifts to the elderly in Da Nang city on February 5. (Photo: VNA)

Permanent member of Party Central Committee's Secretariat pays Tet visit to Da Nang

Politburo member and Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu reaffirmed that the Party and State consistently uphold the principle of placing the people at the centre, stressing that caring for their material and spiritual well-being is both the goal and the driving force of national development.