Friendship insignia presented to outgoing Finnish Ambassador
Outgoing Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Kari Kahiluoto has been honoured with the “For peace and friendship among nations” insignia during a ceremony held in Hanoi on August 10.
President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga (R) hands over the a certificate of merit to the outgoing Finnish Ambassador (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Outgoing Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Kari Kahiluoto has been honoured with the “For peace and friendship among nations” insignia during a ceremony held in Hanoi on August 10.
At the award ceremony, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga said Vietnam and Finland set up diplomatic relations in 1973. In the past nearly 50 years, the countries’ traditional friendship has flourished in multiple fields such as economy, trade, education, high technology, innovation, startup, clean water, clean energy and people-to-people exchange.
During his term, the Finnish Ambassador has made significant contributions to strengthening the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries, Nga stated.
He has helped foster mutual understanding between the Communist Party of Vietnam and political parties in Finland, as well as collaboration between the countries’ localities and the implementation of community projects, notably the Vietnam-Finland International School and the Talent Boost programme which offers chances for Vietnamese youths to travel and work in the European nation.
The VUFO President expressed her hope that the Finnish diplomat will continue to contribute to the Vietnam-Finland traditional friendship and cooperation.
For his part, Kahiluoto said that Finland and Vietnam have paid due attention to international cooperation activities along with people-to-people exchange between the two countries.
He pledged to exert efforts in promoting the countries’ friendship, thereby further consolidating the bilateral relations in the coming time./.
Deputies of the 14th National Assembly were given with the insignia for operations of the National Assembly on March 29 during the 11th session – the last of the 14th tenure.
Along with the external activities of the Party and State, the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Parliamentarian Group during the 2016-2021 tenure has contributed to the sound relations between the two nations, heard a conference to review the group’s tenure held in Hanoi on April 1.
The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) on April 9 held a ceremony to present the “For peace, friendship among nations” insignia to outgoing US Ambassador to Vietnam Daniel Kritenbrink.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha presented the "For the Cause of Natural Resources and Environment" insignia to Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Kari Kahiluoto in recognition of his contribution to the sector at ceremony held in Hanoi on July 23.
Vietnam has over 4.8 million people exposed to AO/dioxin, including hundreds of thousands in the second, third, and even fourth generations. Many live with severe disabilities, facing high medical costs and loss of earning capacity.
Deputy Foreign Minister Dang Hoang Giang reaffirmed that amnesty is a humanitarian policy of the Party and State, reflecting the Vietnamese tradition of compassion and winning attention and high praise both domestically and internationally.
Vietnam officially grants limited-term visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners whose presence is deemed beneficial to the country’s socio-economic development.
With support from the Vietnamese Association in Ufa, Vietnamese language classes for children have been offered for many years. Currently, 60 children of various ages are attending two classes taught by Duc Anh, free of charge.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
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.
President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga (R) hands over the a certificate of merit to the outgoing Finnish Ambassador (Photo: VNA) 
