National dialogue forum on forecast-based financing opens
The National Forecast-based Financing (FbF) Dialogue Platform was held in Hanoi on November 4 by the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VNRC), German Red Cross and UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
The National Forecast-based Financing Dialogue Platform in Hanoi on November 4 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The National Forecast-based Financing (FbF) DialoguePlatform was held in Hanoi on November 4 by the Vietnam Red Cross Society(VNRC), German Red Cross and UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
This year, the forum aims to gather and establish a network of agencies,departments, experts, scientists and gain a common understanding of how FbF cancontribute to the Government's efforts to improve community resilience tonatural disasters. It provides opportunities for participants to share andexchange experiences on FbF among domestic and international agencies and organisationsand develop a roadmap towards the institutionalisation of the FbF approach in Vietnam.
Speaking at the event, VNRC President Nguyen Thi Xuan Thu said that Vietnam isone of the countries most frequently affected by natural disasters and globalclimate change. Every year, about 300 people die and go missing due to naturaldisasters, causing economic losses of around 1 to 1.5 percent of the country’sGDP.
The FbF approach aims to optimise the application of technology, data and weatherforecast information from the global network into actions and early responsebefore disasters occur to protect lives, assets and livelihoods of vulnerablegroups, said Thu.
FbF is an effective approach to improving the resilience of the community tonatural disasters, while also promoting cooperation among scientists, nationalgovernments, research institutes and the private sector in improving theeffectiveness of forecasting, preparedness and response to increasing naturaldisaster risks, she added.
Since 2017, the VNRC has applied a new FbF approach by implementing a pilotproject on early response to heat waves in Hanoi and Da Nang and developing anaction plan on financial support based on forecasts and supporting 21 provincesand cities to develop a forecast map of the impact of natural disasters./.
Vietnam recorded 224 persons dead and missing and economic losses of nearly 20 trillion VND (859.5 million USD) in natural disasters in 2018, according to the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.
The Central Steering Committee on Natural Disaster Prevention and Control’s Office on August 6 reported that so far, Storm Wipha has claimed 10 lives and left 11 people missing, destroyed 91 houses and caused great property losses.
Technology and science is key to coping with future natural disasters, it was agreed at a recent workshop in Hanoi organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Central Steering Committee for Natural Disaster Prevention and Control.
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on October 10 launched a project to help mitigate risks of natural disasters in Hue imperial city, the central province of Thua Thien-Hue.
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.
The National Forecast-based Financing Dialogue Platform in Hanoi on November 4 (Photo: VNA) 
