Emergency aid delivered to flood-affected communities in Dien Bien, Son La
Dien Bien will receive 150 million VND in cash and 200 family relief kits, while Son La will receive 50 million VND and an equal number of kits to ease the consequences of floods, landslides, and prolonged torrential rains.
A representative of the Dien Bien Red Cross Society presents relief supplies to local residents. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Red Cross Society on August 4 announced emergency relief worth nearly 665 million VND (25,386 USD) for communities in the northern provinces of Dien Bien and Son La, which have suffered extensive damage from flash floods, landslides, and prolonged torrential rains since late July.
The support package consists of cash assistance and essential goods to aid vulnerable households that have lost family members, sustained injuries, or experienced damage to their homes, food supplies, and livelihoods.
Specifically, Dien Bien will receive 150 million VND in cash and 200 family relief kits, while Son La will receive 50 million VND and an equal number of kits.
According to local reports, heavy downpours from July 26 and 27 in Son La and in early August in Dien Bien have caused widespread destruction.
Son La authorities noted that the province has endured five major rounds of heavy rainfall, three of which had severe consequences, including destroyed houses and bridges, landslides, and road blockages, as well as land subsidence in several areas.
In Dien Bien, the rains triggered flash floods and landslides in multiple locations, leaving 10 people dead and 12 injured. A total of 554 homes were damaged,♏ and over 200 hectares of crops were inundated or washed away. More than 450 road sections experienced landslides. Various public facilities were damaged, while many residents lost personal bꦚelongings to floodwaters. The total material losses are estimated at around 500 billion VND./.
Of the total, 5 billion VND is for affected residents in Dien Bien and 3 billion VND for those in Son La to overcome the aftermath, stabilise their lives, and restore production.
Days of relentless rainfall have battered Dien Bien, submerging over 200 ha of crops, damaging 554 homes, and triggering more than 450 points of subsidence that paralysed key roads. Preliminary estimates put the total economic loss at around 500 billion VND (19.23 million USD).
Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha urged local authorities and rescue forces to swiftly carry out search and rescue operations in isolated areas, ensuring the fastest possible access to remote villages where residents are facing shortages of food, clean water, and communication.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
The team’s haul, including one Champion title, 10 golds, seven silvers, and four bronzes, surpassed expectations. Vietnam, competing since 2019, has secured over 200 AIMO medals, cementing its regional standing.
The guiding principle for revising the national energy master plan is that energy development must align with the country’s socio-economic development strategy. The energy system should be optimised as a whole, targeting sustainable and diverse development to ensure stable and adequate energy supply to meet national goals.
The Vietnam Disability Fashion Show 2025 aimed to honour the diverse beauty of individuals, promote humanistic values, and foster equality and social inclusion.
The Party and the Government pay special attention to accelerating the development of clean and green energy sources to support double-digit socio-economic growth target and ensure national energy security, focusing on developing the Ninh Thuan 1 and Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plants.
Under the current Vietnamese law, fully autonomous motor vehicles are classified as smart vehicles and must be licensed for operation, unlike conventional motor vehicles.