HCM City get-together marks ASEAN’s 51st founding anniversary

The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations and the municipal Vietnam – Southeast Asia Friendship Association held a get-together on August 23 on the occasion of the 51st founding anniversary of ASEAN (August 8).
HCM City get-together marks ASEAN’s 51st founding anniversary ảnh 1Illustrative image (Source: asean-agrifood.org)
HCM City (VNA) – The Ho Chi Minh City Union ofFriendship Organisations and the municipal Vietnam – Southeast Asia FriendshipAssociation held a get-together on August 23 on the occasion of the 51st founding anniversary of ASEAN (August 8).

Speaking at the event, Singaporean Consul General to Ho ChiMinh City Leow Siu Lin said the event not only reviews achievements that ASEANhas made over the past more than five decades but also looks toward the nextperiod in a path to peace, stability, growth and dynamism in the region.

As rotating Chair of ASEAN, Singapore focuses on the themesof “Resilience” and “Innovation” to shape a united ASEAN which is able toeffectively address geo-political instabilities and brace for opportunities andchallenges in the digital revolution, including establishing the network ofsmart cities, including Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, toward the commongoal of sustainable urban development to improve urban environment and businessopportunities for nearly 630 million people in the bloc, she said.

Phan Thi Hong Xuan, Chairwoman of the municipal Vietnam –Southeast Asia Friendship Association, said the past achievements proved thatASEAN has become important and indispensable to peace, stability anddevelopment in Southeast Asia, a driving force for dialogue, cooperation andconnectivity among member states as well as comprehensive development in EastAsia and Asia-Pacific.

She said the get-together is one of the people-to-peoplediplomatic activities, contributing to tightening solidarity in the grouping.

On the occasion, representatives from the ASEAN countries’ ConsulateGenerals in Ho Chi Minh City presented 30 scholarships to local poor studentswith outstanding academic performance.-VNA
VNA

See more

The “Not Alone” campaign is rolled out widely across social media platforms nationwide. (Photo: VNA)

"Not Alone" Campaign: Over 8 million students, teachers, parents equipped with online safety skills

Implemented from October 6 to November 30, 2025, the campaign’s achievements were also reflected in its impressive outreach. On social media platforms, “Not Alone” generated more than 1.5 billion views and reached over 40 million people, with the participation of more than 1,000 key opinion leaders. Millions of creative contents using hashtags such as #khongmotminh and #NiemTinSo attracted strong community engagement.

The Vietnam Exposition Centre (VEC) in Dong Anh district, Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

Spring flower fair to open in February

The fair will feature flowers, ornamental plants, bonsai, orchids, peach and apricot blossoms, kumquat trees, along with Tet decorations such as lanterns, folk paintings, ceramics, handicrafts and feng shui items.

Elderly people take part in activities at a daytime care centre for senior citizens. (Photo: VNA)

Making breakthroughs via policies for older persons

The Politburo’s Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW on groundbreaking solutions to strengthen the protection, care and improvement of public health sets the target of raising average life expectancy to 75.5 years by 2030, with at least 68 years lived in good health.

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.