Society

Closing Mass of Jubilee Year 2010 takes place

The Closing Mass of the Jubilee Year 2010 of the Catholic Church of Vietnam took place on the morning of Jan. 6 at the La Vang parish, Hai Lang district, in the central province of Quang Tri.
The Closing Mass of the Jubilee Year2010 of the Catholic Church of Vietnam took place on the morning of Jan.6 at the La Vang parish, Hai Lang district, in the central provinceof Quang Tri.

The Closing Mass was chaired by Cardinal IvanDias, Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples andPope Benedict XVI’s Special Envoy.

The Closing Mass includeddelivery of Pope Benedict XVI’s Message and other messages, and a numberof Catholic ceremonials. The event also included a ceremony to placethe first stone to build the La Vang basilica.

The Mass was thefinal activity of the Jubilee Year 2010 of the Catholic Church ofVietnam in combination with the 29th La Vang pilgrim congress at theLa Vang parish.

The three-day event drew thousands of Catholic dignitaries and followers./.

Follow VietnamPlus

See more

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki (first row, left) and UNICEF Representative in Vietnam Silvia Danailov exchange the notes at the ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

Japan, UNICEF join hands to strengthen children’s resilience to natural disasters, climate change

Natural disasters in Vietnam have been increasing in both frequency and intensity. Typhoon No.3 in 2024 (Yagi), along with severe floods, inundation and landslides in 2025, caused significant human and material losses. This underscores the need for targeted and sustainable investments in disaster risk reduction and early warning, particularly for children and vulnerable communities.

Nguyen Thanh Tung, head of the VEPH delegation, speaks at the meeting with Cuban Vice Minister of Higher Education Reynaldo Veláquez Zaldivar. (Photo published by VNA)

Vietnam, Cuba strengthen cooperation in educational publishing

During a working session with Cuban Vice Minister of Higher Education Reynaldo Veláquez Zaldivar, the two sides discussed coordination to support Cuba in printing and distributing books in the coming period, while enhancing information exchange and sharing experience in the publishing sector.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam (third from left) and Lao Party and State leaders at the Tet gathering (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam–Laos solidarity highlighted in Tet gathering

Regarding bilateral ties, Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam affirmed that Vietnam–Laos relations have been elevated to a new height as a great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion framework following the state visit to Laos by Party General Secretary To Lam in December 2025.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Resolution 71 seeks to renew teaching, learning toward effectiveness

Dr Nguyen Thi Giang from the Institute of Linguistics under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences said that the practical implementation of Resolution No. 71 should focus on enhancing learners’ learning capacity, viewing this as the starting point for renewing teaching and learning toward substance and effectiveness.

A booth showcasing bamboo and rattan handicrafts from Ninh So craft village in Hong Van commune (Hanoi) at the Spring Fair 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Spring Fair 2026: Keeping spirit of Vietnamese bamboo alive in modern life

In addition, bamboo and rattan products are highly versatile, meeting a wide range of daily needs - from household items to interior décor and gifts. Thanks to artisans’ skill, each product bears its own distinctive character, reflecting aesthetic value and Vietnam’s traditional cultural identity. This is why bamboo and rattan products are increasingly embraced by diverse consumer groups and are steadily making their way onto international markets.

Foreign tourists visit Pu Luong in Thanh Hoa province. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam ranked among world’s top retirement destinations

Vietnam ranked 9th in the 2026 list, earning high marks for its affordable living costs, diverse living environment, and steadily improving healthcare system and urban infrastructure. While living costs may be slightly higher than in some other Asian destinations, the country is viewed as offering a balanced combination of affordability, living conditions and long-term development potential.

A lion dance performance by the Hwaseong Lion Dance troupe at the programme. (Photo: VNA)

Homeland spring gathering tightens Vietnam–Korea community links

Overseas Vietnamese, wherever they live and work, always turn toward the homeland and wish to contribute knowledge, experience, resources and responsibility to national development. Following the 14th National Party Congress, the community expects reform policies and strategic orientations to soon materialise, unlocking the collective strength of society to help Vietnam advance further.

Passengers travel on urban railway Line 2A Cat Linh-Ha Dong. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi Metro adjusts peak hours, train schedules on two urban railway lines

Hanoi Railway Company Limited (Hanoi Metro) has announced that to better meet rising passenger travel demand, especially during peak hours, it will adjust peak-hour time frames and apply new train schedules on both urban railway Line 2A Cat Linh–Ha Dong and Line 3.1 Nhon–Hanoi Station from February 9.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu commends collectives that have made significant contributions to community work in 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Homeland Spring 2026 brings overseas Vietnamese together in Japan

The ambassador expressed his delight at the growing strength of the Vietnamese community in Japan and its active contributions to Vietnam’s development as well as to the bilateral ties. Currently, the Vietnamese community in Japan remains the second-largest of its kind in the world, with around 700,000 people and an average annual increase of 50,000–60,000.

Colonel Pham Le Xuan Binh, Commander of the Can Tho Border Guard Command, presents results of IUU fishing prevention efforts. (Photo: VNA)

Can Tho tightens controls on IUU fishing

Local officials reported that no “three-Nos” vessels that lack proper registration certificates, fishing licenses and inspection certifications remain in the locality.

Overseas Vietnamese visit and offer incense at the King Dinh and King Le Temple complex in Ninh Binh province. (Photo: VNA)

Homeland Spring strengthens bonds, tap overseas Vietnamese resources

Representatives of local agencies and businesses shared information to help overseas Vietnamese delegates explore Ninh Binh’s potential and opportunities for investment, business and cooperation, thereby contributing to the province’s socio-economic development and the country’s overall growth.