Society

US, France help Vietnam in community-based risk management

The Red Cross Societies of the US, France and Vietnam have reached a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on launching a project on community-based management of disaster risks in Vietnam’s north-western ethnic minority regions.
The Red Cross Societies of the US, France and Vietnam have reached amemorandum of understanding (MoU) on launching a project oncommunity-based management of disaster risks in Vietnam’s north-westernethnic minority regions.

Under the MoU signed in Hanoi onDecember 18, the US and French Red Cross Societies and the French Agencyfor Development will offer the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC) an aidof over 1.4 million EUR to carry out the project in 12 communes andvillages in Lai Chau and Son La provinces over a period of 42 months.

It will improve the capacity of the VRC and relevant authoritiesin managing risks and coping with natural disasters. Vulnerablecommunities will be provided with knowledge that enables them to makeplanning and action plans to minimise risks in target areas.

Matthieu Drean, chief representative of the French Red Cross Society inVietnam, said the project not only enhances the community’ssustainability in response to natural disasters but also improve genderequality in society.-VNA
Follow VietnamPlus

See more

Adrien Jean (right) introduces his photos at the exhibition (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam - France friendship captured through photographs

The “Lyon – Ho Chi Minh City” exhibition showcases 14 large-format photographs by Adrien Jean, a French photographer living in Ho Chi Minh City, and Tony Noel, a French-Vietnamese photographer based in Lyon. The works are displayed along the exterior wall of the French Residence at 6 Le Duan street, making art accessible to a wide public - from passers-by to photography enthusiasts.

VNA General Director Vu Viet Trang (second from right) and Permanent Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Journalists Association Nguyen Duc Loi (fourth from right) present the A Prize to the winners. (Photo: VNA)

VNA Press Awards 2025 inspire professional commitment, innovation in digital era

A notable feature of this edition is the significant rise in both the number and diversity of entries across all categories. These figures reflect not only growing engagement but also a more coordinated and professional approach among editorial departments and domestic and overseas bureaus, forming a consistent and multi-dimensional flow of information.

Glenn Mathews and his wife hand over the diary of Vietnamese martyr Vo Van Cong to Minister Counsellor Nghiem Xuan Hoa, representing the Embassy of Vietnam in Australia. (Photo: VNA)

Australian veteran’s son returns diary of Vietnamese martyr

Entries in the diary show that Vo Van Cong was born in 1944 in the former Phuoc Tho commune, Nhon Trach district, Bien Hoa province, now Dong Nai province. He joined the revolutionary movement in April 1961 and was admitted to the Communist Party of Vietnam in May 1962.

A number of youth union members at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences visit the exhibition space showcasing books and materials on culture. (Photo: VNA)

Book week underscores role of knowledge in policymaking

The highlight is a series of activities on April 21, including a book and document exhibition on culture, the launch of a special publication titled “Special scientific information for leadership” and initiatives promoting reading culture, including a book donation programme and a book review contest.

Hanoi has over 1,100 libraries and numerous cultural and educational spaces in the community. (Photo: VNA)

Spreading value of books, building foundations of learning society

Each weekend in Hanoi, the “Reading with Children” Club brings together students to practise reading, explore language, and express ideas creatively. According to founder of the club Nguyen Thuy Anh, the club encourages children to reflect, retell stories, and connect books with personal experiences, making reading more vivid and meaningful.

Automated ticketing system is used on the urban railway Cat Linh-Ha Dong line in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Digital transformation powers Hanoi metro expansion

Beyond convenience, stable fares and the elimination of fuel, parking and maintenance costs have made urban rail increasingly attractive. The growing preference for metro travel is also contributing to a greener, more modern urban lifestyle.

Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate the operation of electric bus route No. 43. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi accelerates shift to green buses, targets 100% by 2030

In the 2027–2030 period, the city will accelerate the transition towards the complete phase-out of fossil fuel-powered buses. The share of electric and green energy-fueled buses is projected to reach 79–89% by 2029 and 100% by 2030.

At the second session of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Council (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City greenlights central square, administrative centre in Thu Thiem

The new central city square and administrative centre will create a modern, centralised political-administrative complex for Ho Chi Minh City, designed to house around 8,000 officials, civil servants, and employees. It will also handle daily traffic of 1,500- 2,000 citizens and business representatives through a unified one-stop-shop administrative service system.