Society

China ships continue to approach, attack Vietnamese vessels

As of May 20, China maintained the presence of more than 90 ships of various kinds defending rig Haiyang Shiyou-981, several of which kept approaching and attacking Vietnamese ships on their law enforcement missions, according to the Vietnam Coast Guard High Command.

As of May 20, China maintained the presence of more than 90 ships ofvarious kinds defending rig Haiyang Shiyou-981, several of which keptapproaching and attacking Vietnamese ships on their law enforcementmissions, according to the Vietnam Coast Guard High Command.

Meanwhile, some Chinese fishing vessels, which are built from iron andhave a capacity of above 300 tonnes, accompanied armed ships to hinderthe operations of Vietnamese boats, according to the force.

However, the Vietnam Coast Guard continued to persistently demandChina to recall its oil rig and ships out of Vietnam’s waters, saidthe force.

At 7:10 on May 20, as the Vietnam CoastGuard ship coded 4032 came about 6.4 nautical miles from the oil rig, itwas obstructed by six Chinese ships, coded 3401, 102, 21101, 32101,46001 and 37011.

At 8:05, three other Chinese shipscut in ahead of the Vietnam Coast Guard ship 8003, forcing it to stopits engine and start to float. Then at 9:20, the ship 8003 detected 69Chinese vessels defending the oil rig.

Since thebeginning of May, 2014, China boldly dispatched its HaiyangShiyou-981 as well as a large fleet of armed vessels, military ships andaircraft to Vietnamese waters and positioned the rig at a location 80miles deep into the Vietnamese continental shelf and exclusive economiczone prescribed in the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of theSea.

China’s armed vessels aggressively firedhigh-power water cannons at, and intentionally rammed, Vietnamesepublic-service and civil ships, causing damage to many boats andinjuring many people on board.

China’s movesgravely violate international law, the Declaration on the Conduct ofParties in the East Sea (DOC), to which China is a signatory. Thisextremely dangerous action has been and is directly threatening peace,stability and maritime security and safety in the East Sea.-VNA

Follow VietnamPlus

See more

One of the first-prize winning entries in the “Social housing prototype design ideas – Towards sustainable solutions” contest. (Photo courtesy of the organising board)

Highly applicable social housing design ideas honoured

According to the organising board, the award-winning entries will provide an important foundation for the Ministry of Construction to continue research and develop prototype and typical designs for broad use in localities.

Trinh Quoc Phu (centre) voluntarily hands over a rare forest night heron to the police and authorities of Quy Nhon Nam ward. (Photo: baogialai.com.vn)

Gia Lai rangers receive rare forest night heron

The handover reflects the growing awareness and sense of responsibility among local residents in protecting wildlife, contributing to law compliance and biodiversity conservation efforts in the area.

Hue officers, soldiers and local residents in the central city of Hue are working at full speed to complete solid new homes for natural disaster-hit families (Photo: VNA)

Swift campaign brings Tet homes to storm-hit residents in Hue

Quang Trung Campaign is not merely a task, but a political responsibility and a heartfelt commitment to the people. The guiding principle is to act as swiftly and decisively as possible, ensuring no family is left without shelter, especially in the days leading up to Tet, said Major General Nguyen Thanh Tuan, Director of the Hue Department of Public Security.

Fishermen in the Dong Tac fishery port of Phu Yen ward, Dak Lak province, prepare for a new trip after storm. (Photo: VNA)

Dak Lak supports fishermen in occupational transition

As of December 5, 2025, Dak Lak had 2,556 fishing vessels, with an annual marine catch of around 68,000 tonnes. An estimated 2,900 workers are in need of occupational transition, as most have limited educational backgrounds, unstable incomes and are increasingly ageing.

Forces are urgently building houses for people affected by natural disasters (Photo: VNA)

Quang Tri: Housing campaign brings hope for landslide-affected communities

The project was inaugurated on December 31, 2025. Over 18 days of construction, teams moved more than 30,000 cu.m of soil, sand, stone, and gravel; installed 200 anti-landslide gabions; built 130 m of drainage channels; planted 2,000 sq.m slope grass; and assisted residents with repairs, moving belongings, and clearing their homes to quickly restore livelihoods.