Vietnam steps up citizen protection following Colombia earthquake

The earthquake in Choco, about 313km west of Bogota capital, caused severe damage in Bogota as well as central and western cities including Medellin, Cali, Pereira and Manizales.

A building collapsed in Pereira, Colombia, after the earthquake on August 10, 2026. (Photo: AA/VNA)
A building collapsed in Pereira, Colombia, after the earthquake on August 10, 2026. (Photo: AA/VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassy in Venezuela and Colombia has promptly implemented citizen protection measures following a 7.4-magnitude earthquake that struck Choco province of Colombia on August 10.

The earthquake in Choco, about 313km west of Bogota capital, caused severe damage in Bogota as well as central and western cities including Medellin, Cali, Pereira and Manizales.

On August 10 morning (local time), the embassy contacted the Vietnamese community in Colombia to grasp the situation. As of the same day afternoon, all Vietnamese citizens in the affected areas were reported safe.

The embassy has taken necessary citizen protection measures in line with regulations to ensure their security and safety.

Vietnamese citizens requiring urgent assistance are advised to contact the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ citizen protection hotline at +84 981 848 484 or the embassy’s citizen protection hotline at +58 424 267 4447 for timely support./.

VNA

See more

Tourists visit the Imperial Citadel of Hue. (Photo: VNA)

Australian tourists show growing appetite for Vietnam

Australia has become one of Vietnam’s fastest-growing long-haul tourism markets. Vietnam welcomed 490,880 Australian visitors in 2024, up 26% year on year and around 28% higher than in 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic. In the first seven months of 2026, the country received 396,648 Australian tourists, a year-on-year increase of 25.8%, placing Australia among Vietnam’s top 10 source markets.

Head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for Publicity Trinh Van Quyet (centre) tours ABC facility (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Australia cultivate media cooperation in digital age

To match media cooperation with the weight of the Vietnam–Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, he proposed five key collaboration areas, said Head of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Commission for Publicity Trinh Van Quyet.

Vietnam takes effective steps to build seamless digital ecosystem for foreigners

Vietnam takes effective steps to build seamless digital ecosystem for foreigners

Despite recognising Vietnam’s progress in digital transformation, many foreigners living in the country believe that digitising individual services is only the first step. What they expect is a seamlessly connected digital ecosystem in which a single electronic identity allows users to access services and conduct transactions conveniently and securely.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Tung, a member of the Members' Council of the Vietnam Education Publishing House, speaks at a meeting with the Vietnamese Embassy. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-Germany cooperation strengthened in educational publishing

The VEPH is conducting a working and study visit to Germany from August 8-14 to learn from advanced models for the production and distribution of e-books and digital learning materials. The delegation is led by Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Van Tung, a member of the VEPH Members' Council.

Border guards inspect vessel monitoring equipment on a fishing boat before it heads out to sea. (Photo: VNA)

Khanh Hoa aims at lifting EC ‘yellow card’, sustainable fisheries

According to the department, as of the end of June, 99.9% of eligible fishing vessels in the province had been issued fishing licences, while 100% of vessels measuring 15 metres or more had been fitted with vessel monitoring system (VMS) devices and all vessels had been marked and numbered in accordance with regulations.

Representatives of the General Association of Vietnamese People in Laos and the Association of Vietnamese People in Vientiane lay a wreath and observe a minute of silence in memory of Lao National Assembly President Xaysomphone Phomvihane. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese associations in Laos pay tribute to Lao NA President

In the condolence book, representatives of the General Association of Vietnamese People in Laos and the Association of Vietnamese People in Vientiane expressed their profound sorrow over the passing of comrade Xaysomphone Phomvihane, saying his passing was not only a great loss to the Lao Party, State and people, but also meant that Vietnam lost a close and trusted friend and comrade.

Overview of the workshop on building and developing networks of experts and intellectuals in strategic technology fields. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam eyes global network of overseas Vietnamese experts in strategic technologies

In recent years, networks of OV experts and intellectuals have been established, with nearly 2,000 members. Five innovation and expert networks have also been formed in strategic technology areas such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, quantum technology, cybersecurity, aviation, aerospace and unmanned aerial vehicles, connecting around 50 expert and intellectual associations overseas.

Young people take part in activities at the event to mark International Youth Day 2026 in Hanoi on August 9 (Photo: VNA)

Over 40 youth-led initiatives introduced at International Youth Day 2026

The event, organised by the Youth Advisory Group of the UN in Vietnam, brought together 44 youth groups, social enterprises, educational institutions and UN-supported programmes. Exhibition booths and interactive activities at the event introduced solutions created and led by young people.

The flag-raising ceremony at the A Pa Chai flagpole in Sin Thau commune, Dien Bien province (Photo: VNA)

“I Love My Fatherland” journey reaches Dien Bien

The "I Love My Fatherland" journey is an annual nationwide programme aimed at promoting patriotism, revolutionary ideals and civic responsibility among Vietnam's youth through visits to historical, cultural and sovereignty landmarks across the country.

Officers of the Dong Thap provincial Border Guard give gifts and provide information on IUU fishing control and prevention to fishermen at Vam Lang fishing port, Gia Thuan commune, Dong Thap province. (Photo: VNA)

Dong Thap tightens fishing vessel management

The provincial Department of Agriculture and Environment, acting as the standing agency of Dong Thap's IUU Steering Committee, has been tasked with reviewing and updating the province's action plan to address recommendations raised during the EC's fifth inspection mission on Vietnam's anti-IUU efforts.

At the launch ceremony (Photo: VNA)

French-language newspaper launches video contest

The contest, announced this week, is a video-based evolution of the newspaper's 'Jeunes Reporters Francophones' competition, which has run for ten seasons since its 2016 launch with backing from the Asia-Pacific regional office of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF).

Since the beginning of the year, Ca Mau provinces have inspected 100% of fishing vessels arriving at and departing from designated fishing ports in accordance with regulations. (Photo: VNA)

Ca Mau launches peak campaign to combat IUU fishing

As one of Vietnam’s largest fishing centres, with an extensive coastline and a sizeable offshore fleet, Ca Mau considers combating IUU fishing a top political priority. Provincial authorities said recent efforts have yielded positive results, particularly in fisheries management and law enforcement.