A vibrant celebration of traditional New Year festivals from Cambodia, Laos and Thailand held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 11 helped deepen friendship, cultural understanding and solidarity between Vietnam and the countries.

Hue Central Hospital has successfully completed bone marrow transplants for three children, including one with thalassemia and two with neuroblastoma, underscoring advancements in treating serious paediatric illnesses.

Vietnam is a unified nation comprising 54 ethnic groups, among which the Khmer community, with its distinctive cultural heritage, forms an inseparable part, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said in a letter sent on April 10 to the Khmer people, officials and Buddhist monks on the occasion of their traditional New Year festival, Chol Chnam Thmay.

A 19-year-old British tourist who died during a trip to Vietnam has saved the lives of three Vietnamese patients with end-stage organ failure, in a deeply moving act of compassion.

The Lao Embassy in Vietnam on April 8 held a ceremony in Hanoi to celebrate Laos’ traditional New Year festival Bunpimay.

Using artificial intelligence (AI) to process data-heavy tasks such as banking increases efficiency and service quality, but it also poses new cybersecurity threats that need to be assessed and managed carefully.

Vietnam aims to cut electricity-related fires and electrocution accidents by up to 50% by 2035 under a newly approved national programme on safe electricity use for the 2026–2035 period.

As the International Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action is celebrated on April 4, the central province of Quang Tri has been stepping up efforts to realise its “safe province” model after three decades of cooperation with international partners in addressing post-war explosive remnants.

Vietnam considers education and training, along with the development of high-quality human resources, a top national policy and a key strategic priority, particularly in the context of promoting digital transformation, innovation and a knowledge-based economy in service of its long-term development goals.

A project supporting the comprehensive development of disadvantaged children in educational institutions was launched at a ceremony in Tan Loc ward, the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, on March 31.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued a directive, requesting stricter electricity-saving measures and accelerated development of self-produced, self-consumed rooftop solar power, as Vietnam moves to secure energy supply amid rising demand and global uncertainties.

More than a year after its rollout, the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in science and technology development, innovation and national digital transformation has emerged as a strategic declaration charting a new development pathway for Vietnam.

The fourth Book and Night Culture Festival opened on March 27 at Ho Chi Minh City Book Street in Sai Gon ward under the theme “Colours of Culture”.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called on the Vietnamese youth to take the lead in key areas to drive national development, urging stronger dedication, innovation and a pioneering spirit in building and safeguarding the nation.

From 2026, all residents in Ho Chi Minh City will be provided with periodic health check-ups or screening at least once a year under a newly issued municipal plan for the 2026–2030 period.

A workshop on sustainable restoration of wetland ecosystems in the Mekong Delta was held on March 24 in Tram Chim commune, Dong Thap province, bringing together experts, scientists, and conservation stakeholders to discuss solutions amid growing environmental challenges.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 18 requested ministries, sectors and localities to act more proactively, flexibly and effectively in implementing railway projects, stressing the need to swiftly resolve bottlenecks while closely following directions from the Politburo, the National Assembly and the Government.

Vietnam aims to have least 30% of adults holding savings accounts by 2030, according to the draft Financial Inclusion Strategy for the 2026–2030 period.

As many as 45% of candidates for Vietnam’s 16th National Assembly (NA) being women is an encouraging and positive development, according to Caroline Nyamayemombe, Country Representative of the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) in Vietnam.

A delegation led by French Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Etienne Ranaivoson paid a working visit to Can Tho city on March 11 and attended a ceremony presenting the Label FrancEducation accreditation plaque to the Chau Van Liem High School.