The Main Press Centre (MPC) and the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) for the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) officially opened at the National Convention Centre on May 9.
Hanoi (VNA) – The Main Press Centre (MPC) and the International Broadcasting Convention (IBC) for the 31st Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 31) officially opened at the National Convention Centre on May 9.
The opening ceremony was attended by Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Dao Cuong; Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Pham Anh Tuan; Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Chu Xuan Dung; Deputy Director-General of Vietnam News Agency Nguyen Tuan Hung; Deputy Director-General of Vietnam Television Dinh Dac Vinh; and Vice Director General of the Vietnam Sports Administration Le Thi Hoang Yen, who is also director of the MPC.
The MPC, which holds a main centre and rooms for the media, is run by the Information and Communications Sub-Committee for SEA Games 31.
Along with issuing press cards for domestic and foreign journalists covering SEA Games 31, the centre provides services for journalists, including IT and high-speed internet connections, vehicles, a media handbook, and other supporting services.
At the opening ceremony (Photo: VNA)
With an area of nearly 600 sq.m, the centre has functional rooms to meet the operational demands of domestic and foreign reporters.
The centre, which is equipped with 40 high-configuration laptops, can serve 200 reporters at the same time.
Meanwhile, the IBC covers more than 3,000 sq.m. Run by Vietnam Television (VTV) with the support of participating countries and international channels, it is the venue for the production of TV programmes for SEA Games 31.
SEA Games 31, themed “For a Stronger South East Asia”, is being held in the capital and 11 neighbouring provinces and cities from May 12 to 23. The biennial event was initially slated for late 2021 but delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic./.
Matches of men’s football at the ongoing SEA Games 31 are drawing large crowds of spectators, even in the absence of the home team Vietnam in some games.
Vietnam had many hurdles to overcome when facing a defensive opponent like the Philippines, head coach Park Hang Seo of Vietnam's U23 football team has said.
Vietnamese divers are expected to continue to bag more medals on May 9 after bringing home one silver and one bronze medals on the first day of competition in the ongoing SEA Games 31.
Singapore's coach Nazri Nasir, while pleased with his side's never-say-die attitude that earned them a point against Laos, have admitted that his players needed to improve.
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.
Media centre for SEA Games 31 opens (Photo: VNA) 
At the opening ceremony (Photo: VNA) 
