Hanoi hosts workshop to boost support for landmine victims across ASEAN
Since 1975, unexploded ordnance from the war has claimed 42,000 lives and injured 62,000 people, with most victims being breadwinners, ethnic minorities, and children
A VNMAC survey shows that since 1975, unexploded ordnance from the war has claimed 42,000 lives and injured 62,000 people. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) 🔯– A national consultation workshop to address rehabilitation and psychosocial support for landmine victims and persons with disabilities convened in Hanoi on April 4, as part of a broader project to enhance support for landmine survivors across ASEAN member states.
The event was co-hosted by the Vietnam Association for Supporting Unexploded Ordnance/Mine Action (VNASMA), the ASEAN Regional Mine Action Centre (ARMAC), and the Vietnam National Mine Action Centre (VNMAC).
In his opening remarks, VNASMA Permanent Vice Chairman Lieut. Gen. Pham Ngoc Khoa highlighted the association’s decade-long efforts, including 35 large-scale events, each drawing around 500 participants, to educate students and residents in landmine-affected areas.
VNASMA has also distributed three books and 3,000 comic books nationwide, reaching millions to boost awareness and prevent accidents. Alongside these campaigns, 35 livelihood support initiatives have aided 6,000 victims and their families, offering vital assistance with support from government bodies, businesses, social and religious groups, volunteers, and the public.
Delegates praised the early collaboration between VNASMA and ARMAC, including field surveys in Hue city and Quang Binh, both in the central region, as a solid base for deeper ties.
They expressed optimism that the discussions would open doors for partnerships with global organisations like the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and humanitarian groups from the Republic of Korea, Singapore, the US, Japan, and beyond.
They noted that insights from the event will refine plans for a comprehensive, effective ASEAN-wide system to assist victims.
A VNMAC survey revealed that since 1975, unexploded ordnance from the war has claimed 42,000 lives and injured 62,000 people, with most victims being breadwinners, ethnic minorities, and children./.
A man in My Son commune, Do Luong district discovered a metal object resembling a bomb about 4 metres underground while he was using an excavator to level the ground for construction.
According to the compiled data, by the end of 2024, nearly 5.6 million hectares of land, or about 17.71% of the country's total land area, remained contaminated with bombs, mines and UXOs.
The bomb was identified as part of the MK series, measuring 1.5 to 2 metres in length and deeply buried underground, requiring the provincial command’s deployment of specialised personnel for its removal.
Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang is intensifying efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as part of the country’s goal of having the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning lifted.
Throughout its 80-year history, the VNA has remained at the forefront of information dissemination. It has consistently delivered timely, accurate, and objective reports on both domestic and international events, serving the Party’s leadership, the State’s management, and the public’s demand for official news.
With strong support from local authorities, businesses, organisations, and residents, the province has successfully built or repaired 10,707 homes for disadvantaged households, including war veterans, families of martyrs, ethnic minority people, and low-income residents.
Throughout its resistance against colonialists and imperialists, Vietnam developed a revolutionary press that has served as a benchmark for just and legitimate causes worldwide.
Founded in 1842, the Vienna Philharmonic is regarded as a cultural ambassador of Austria, with prestigious conductors like Mahler and Karajan who shape its legacy. Its New Year’s Concert, broadcast to over 90 countries annually, stands as a global symbol of classical music excellence.
