Vietnam to make more active, responsible contributions to UN efforts: PM

Vietnam will keep making active, responsible contributions to United Nations (UN) efforts for peace, cooperation and sustainable development, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung told the UN Resident Coordinator and heads of UN agencies in Vietnam during a reception in Hanoi on October 23, ahead of UN Day on October 24.

PM Hung said Vietnam always attaches importance to the UN’s central, irreplaceable role in global governance, and praised the broad, substantive gains in cooperation since Vietnam joined the bloc almost 50 years ago.

He pointed to Vietnam’s two strategic 100-year strategic goals and its push for double-digit economic growth, which must come with stable, sustainable development and a better quality of life for all citizens.

PM Le Minh Hung poses for a photo with UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis and heads of UN agencies in Vietnam (Photo: VNA)

According to him, Vietnam’s priorities are overhauling the growth model, sharpening competitiveness and lifting growth quality, with science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as the main drivers. The approach ties growth to social progress and equity, human development, and reforms in education, health care, culture and social affairs, while protecting the environment, adapting to climate change and securing energy supply.

Vietnam will keep taking part in UN peacekeeping operations, push the initiative for an International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development, back UN reform, follow the Green One UN House agreement and work with the UN to set up the Regional Counter Cybercrime Hub for Asia-Pacific in Vietnam, he said.

Looking ahead, he urged UN agencies to use their specialized expertise and global partner networks to help Vietnam tap knowledge and funding, obtain policy and legal advice, advance cooperation in science, technology and innovation, and gain access to and gradually master strategic technologies, while playing a deeper role in global AI governance.

He also asked the UN to support Vietnam’s push for a green and circular economy, energy security and a just energy transition; a workforce suited to the digital era; policies on population aging, green transition and climate adaptation; and smart, sustainable agriculture, among other areas.

The host called on both sides to soon finalize the Vietnam-UN sustainable development cooperation framework for 2027-2031, in line with Vietnam’s development priorities.

UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam Pauline Tamesis called Vietnam an increasingly important and constructive multilateral partner that has moved from aid recipient to active contributor to the UN.

She welcomed the messages delivered by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam at the High-Level General Debate of the UN General Assembly’s 81st session. She also congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic gains and its practical contributions to international peace, security and development through peacekeeping, multilateral cooperation, South-South cooperation and the sharing of development experience.

The UN also credited Vietnam with a pioneering role in efforts to overhaul the bloc and active engagement in global digital transformation and AI governance. Tamesis backed the priorities the PM outlined and said the UN stands ready to support Vietnam in its new growth phase, according to VNA.

The World Health Organization’s Chief Representative lauded Vietnam’s focus on workforce development and its rollout of Resolution 72-NQ/TW, which sets out breakthrough measures to strengthen health protection and care. It pledged support for grassroots health care, digital transformation in the health sector and responses to public health challenges.

The UNESCO Chief Representative vowed support for Vietnam’s science, technology and innovation, ethical and equitable AI use, rollout of Resolution 71-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in education and training, and cultural cooperation.

The Food and Agriculture Organization’s Chief Representative commended Vietnam’s contribution to global food security and promised support for sustainable agriculture and South-South cooperation.

The UN Development Program’s Chief Representative committed to further support for Vietnam in overhauling its growth model, adapting to climate change, improving policies, mobilising financing for the Just Energy Transition Partnership, advancing green transition and building worker and business capacity.

Vietnam and UN agencies will work together to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to the UN in 2027.

Japan helps Viet Nam strengthen maritime law enforcement capacity

Japan will help Viet Nam strengthen its maritime law enforcement capacity through a grant agreement worth ¥ 646 million (US$4.1 million).

The signing ceremony of the agreement took place in Ha Noi on October 22

Under the agreement, the Japanese Government will provide the grant through the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) to support Vietnamese law enforcement agencies, particularly the Viet Nam Coast Guard.

The project will run from 2026 to 2029, focusing on specialized training, technical assistance and equipment provision to enhance Viet Nam's capacity to monitor vessels and combat crime at sea and on inland waterways.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki said, the project would establish four training centers for Maritime Domain Awareness (MDA), provide simulation and surveillance equipment, and train approximately 320 Vietnamese law enforcement officers, VGP reported.

From left to right: UN Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam Pauline Tamesis; Regional Coordinator for Southeast Asia of the UNODC Global Maritime Crime Program (GMCP) David O’Connell; Deputy Commander for Legal Affairs of the Viet Nam Coast Guard Luong Dinh Hung; and Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam Ito Naoki - Photo: Mekong ASEAN

Regional Coordinator for Southeast Asia of UNODC's Global Maritime Crime Program (GMCP) David O'Connell said, the grant marked a further step in the longstanding cooperation among Japan, UNODC and Vietnam, while demonstrating their shared commitment to strengthening maritime security and combating transnational organized crime.

Over the next three years, UNODC will work with Vietnamese authorities, particularly the Viet Nam Coast Guard, to deliver specialized training, provide technical assistance and equipment, and develop a pool of domestic experts, O'Connell said.

He emphasized that the project would go beyond training activities and equipment provision, aiming to strengthen law enforcement agencies' institutional capacity, develop a skilled professional workforce and ensure the sustainability of cooperation after the project concludes.

Vietnam successfully researches new-generation Japanese encephalitis vaccine

The Vietnam Association of Preventive Medicine (VAPM) on October 23, organized the 2026 Preventive Medicine Scientific Conference on the occasion of the 65th anniversary of its founding (1961-2026).

According to Professor Dr. Phan Trong Lan, VAPM Chairman, over the past 65 years, the association has continuously grown in terms of organization, membership, scientific activities, training, research, and international cooperation. Notably, its scientific conferences have become an important forum for scientists, research institutes, universities, and the preventive medicine system to exchange evidence, share experiences, and propose practical solutions.

“Preventive work following mergers, including vaccination and non-communicable disease management, is among the prioritized contents. Accessing new disease prevention technologies, biological products, new-technology vaccines, and preventive testing are also areas of interest,” Lan noted.

Under the theme “For public health in the new era,” the conference aimed at specific requirements: how scientific advancements and new policies can genuinely help people better prevent diseases, detect risks earlier, and access appropriate services right within the community.

Deputy Minister of Health Do Xuan Tuyen acknowledged the contributions of the association and leading institutes of hygiene and epidemiology in disease prevention and outbreak control. It is worth noting that the Expanded Program on Immunization has contributed to protecting tens of millions of people over many decades.

The Deputy Minister emphasized that preventive medicine is key and grassroots healthcare is the foundation in protecting public health. He requested the effective use of community health examination data for early detection, risk assessment, and disease pattern evaluation, thereby proactively deploying appropriate solutions.

At the conference, scientific reports presented the research results of the Japanese encephalitis vaccine on Vero cells in Vietnam, alongside approaches to new-generation vaccine manufacturing technology, cited VOV.

Professor Dr. Phan Trong Lan, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Preventive Medicine addresses the conference.

The second-generation Japanese encephalitis vaccine was researched and manufactured by the Company for Vaccines and Biologicals No. 1 under the Ministry of Health. The vaccine has been evaluated for safety and immunogenicity in humans, with the optimal dose determined in healthy children aged 9 to 24 months.

Research results show that the vaccine is well tolerated and induces a high immune response. The research unit is finalizing the dossier for circulation registration.

Japanese encephalitis is an acute disease with a high mortality rate, causing severe damage to the central nervous system and potentially leaving motor sequelae. It is commonly found in children under 15 years of age. Vietnam has produced Japanese encephalitis vaccines since 1992 and introduced them into the Expanded Program on Immunization in 1997.

According to reports at the conference, in recent years, numerous vaccines have been used in Vietnam to prevent cervical cancer, dengue fever, hand, foot and mouth disease, influenza, pneumococcal disease, and meningococcal disease. Alongside this, domestic scientists are approaching new vaccine manufacturing technologies.

Vietnam ranks fourth among top autumn travel destinations for 2026

Lonely Planet highlights Hanoi as an appealing autumn destination, with cool weather making it a pleasure to explore its winding, invigorating streets. Dreamy Ha Long Bay is at its clearest and the warm waters are perfect for a dip, while Sa Pa and Tuyen Quang, including the former Ha Giang area, welcome visitors with golden terraced rice fields during the harvest season.

Vietnam ranks fourth globally in Lonely Planet’s list of the 15 biggest 2026 fall travel trends, behind Japan, Italy and Thailand.

The ranking is based on guidebook sales from late August to late September 2026, reflecting readers’ interest in scenic autumn journeys, destinations with pleasant weather and warmer getaways, VNA reported.

The captivating beauty of Sa Pa during the rice harvest season. (Photo: VNA)

Unlike destinations known for a single autumn spectacle, Vietnam stands out for its diverse adventure experiences across the country.

Lonely Planet highlights Hanoi as an appealing autumn destination, with cool weather making it a pleasure to explore its winding, invigorating streets. Dreamy Ha Long Bay is at its clearest and the warm waters are perfect for a dip, while Sa Pa and Tuyen Quang, including the former Ha Giang area, welcome visitors with golden terraced rice fields during the harvest season.

Further south, travelers can explore Ho Chi Minh City by motorbike and sample its street food. In central Vietnam, cycling through the countryside around Hoi An offers opportunities to savour local specialities in craft villages and discover local culture.

Terraced rice fields in the northwestern region are the first visual highlight Lonely Planet features in its introduction to Vietnam. Turning golden in autumn, the fields offer a distinctive experience compared with destinations famous for colourful foliage. Sa Pa and Ha Giang therefore hold a special place in the country’s autumn travel appeal.

Other destinations in the list include South America, Sri Lanka, India, China, Portugal, New Zealand, Australia, Africa, Norway, Philippines, and New York City.

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