The VAVA delegation meets with US friends. (Photo: Thanh Tuan/VNA)

Vietnam, US expand cooperation to tackle Agent Orange impacts

A delegation from the Vietnam Association for Victims of Agent Orange/Dioxin (VAVA) Ho Chi Minh City chapter visited the United States from August 12 to 14 to step up joint efforts in addressing the long-term impacts of Agent Orange/dioxin.

Led by Major General Senior Doctor Nguyen Hong Son, Vice President of VAVA and President of VAVA Ho Chi Minh City, the delegation met with US Representative Rashida Tlaib, Veterans For Peace (VFP), legal experts, and several social and youth organizations.

Senior Colonel Nguyen Duc Quan, Defense Attaché to the Vietnam Mission to the United Nations, also attended the meetings.

During the visit, the delegation detailed Vietnam's ongoing programs in healthcare, rehabilitation, vocational training, scholarships, housing support, and legal protection for victims, according to VOV.

Emphasizing a victim-centered approach, the delegation highlighted efforts to not only offer immediate relief but also enable victims to build independent lives and integrate into society.

The story of Pham Thi Thu Thuy, an Agent Orange victim who overcame hardship to become a special education teacher, moved many American friends.

Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib voiced support for policy advocacy for those affected by Agent Orange/dioxin and improved healthcare for US veterans. She noted the need to broaden support in the US Congress, strengthen ties among lawmakers, veterans, and Asian-American communities, and engage younger generations in healing the wounds of war.

The Vietnamese delegation also held discussions with representatives from organizations including Viet Left Power, the Vietnam Agent Orange Relief & Responsibility Campaign (VAORRC), VietLead, SEAFN, and Mekong.

Both sides agreed to raise public awareness, especially among American youth, about the lingering effects of Agent Orange in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia.

Earlier, speaking at the VFP National Convention, Major General Nguyen Hong Son expressed gratitude for VFP's years of support and called on partners to continue assisting healthcare, education, and livelihood programs for victims, particularly children and youth.

The visit strengthened friendship, mutual understanding, and people-to-people ties between Vietnam and the US, while expanding a humanitarian network dedicated to peace and healing the wounds of war. It continues to spread a message of responsibility, compassion, and international solidarity to ease the pain of Agent Orange, ensuring no victim is left behind.

Cultural exchange strengthens people-to-people ties between Ho Chi Minh City, Indonesia

A Vietnam-Indonesia friendship cultural exchange program was held in Ho Chi Minh City on August 15 evening to celebrate the 81st Independence Day of Indonesia (August 17, 1945-2026), highlighting the close friendship between the people of the southern metropolis and Indonesia.

The exchange featured traditional Vietnamese and Indonesian musical and dance performances by artists from the Saung Udjo art troupe of Indonesia and the dance troupe of the Indonesian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City, together with artists and students from the Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music and Nguyen Tat Thanh University.

Opening the program, Nguyen Minh Nhut, Chairman of the municipal Vietnam-Indonesia Friendship Association, said the two countries are neighbouring Southeast Asian countries that share many historical similarities, including their struggles against colonialism. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1955, their ties have grown strongly, culminating in the elevation to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership on March 10, 2025.

On the occasion, the local official expressed his thanks to the Consulate General of Indonesia and the Indonesian community in the city for their effective cooperation in a wide range of joint activities. He expressed his belief that the two sides would further promote people-to-people exchanges through cultural, sports, educational and tourism activities, creating more opportunities for Vietnamese and Indonesian people to meet, interact with and better understand one another, thereby expanding cooperation across various fields, reported VNA.

Indonesian artists perform at the Vietnam-Indonesia friendship cultural exchange programme in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

Indonesian Consul General Carolina Tinangon voiced her appreciation and gratitude to the Vietnam-Indonesia Friendship Association for its tireless contributions to strengthening the friendship and people-to-people ties between the sides.

She stressed that the event, featuring joint performances by Vietnamese and Indonesian artists showcasing the traditional cultures of both countries, exemplifies the true spirit of cultural diplomacy. It will help strengthen people-to-people diplomacy, deepen mutual understanding between the Vietnamese and Indonesian people, and contribute to the increasingly close friendship between the two nations.

Traditional Vietnamese cuisine wins over Canadian diners

Starting from a small home-based operation during the COVID-19 pandemic, Linh Anh Vietnamese Cuisine has expanded into a four-location restaurant chain across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), showing the growing appeal of Vietnamese food in Canada's multicultural center.

Toronto is recognized as one of Canada's most culturally diverse cities. Within this varied culinary landscape, Vietnamese food has secured a firm foothold thanks to its balanced flavors, fresh ingredients, and traditional preparation techniques, cited VOV.

The Linh Anh restaurant chain serves familiar Vietnamese dishes, ranging from iconic pho to regional specialties like bun rieu (crab noodle soup) and bun bo Hue (spicy beef noodle soup), alongside traditional rice plates.

Photo: VOV

Speaking to local media, Linh Do, founder and owner of the Linh Anh restaurant chain, shared that from the beginning, his goal was to introduce authentic home-style meals commonly enjoyed by Vietnamese families.

In a competitive market with diverse palates like Toronto, he chose to preserve original recipes rather than alter them significantly to suit local tastes. He emphasized that authentic flavor, balanced nutrition, and the generous use of fresh herbs have helped Vietnamese dishes gain broad acceptance among diverse customer groups.

While pho remains the most widely recognized dish internationally, other offerings like noodle soups, rice dishes, and home-cooked specialties are becoming increasingly familiar to Canadian diners, broadening their understanding of Vietnamese culture and daily life.

Linh Anh’s business journey began during the pandemic when dine-in services were suspended. Driven by a passion for cooking, Linh Do personally handled ingredient sourcing, food preparation, order processing, and home delivery. Initial orders provided crucial income during a difficult period while helping him gauge market demand. Strong customer support, particularly for traditional noodle dishes, gave him the confidence to open his first brick-and-mortar restaurant post-pandemic.

The brand gradually expanded to its second and third locations before recently launching its fourth facility, completing its transition from a home kitchen to an established restaurant chain.

Expansion brought challenges, including brand building, quality control, and managing higher operational demands. To maintain customer trust across multiple locations, the chain focuses on ensuring consistent flavor and food standards.

Linh Anh’s journey illustrates how many Vietnamese-owned businesses in Canada build on cultural strengths and family heritage to adapt to the local market. Authentic cuisine serves as both a viable business model and an effective channel for cultural diplomacy, connecting Vietnam with international friends.

Exhibition of Vietnamese Do paper paintings captivates Far Eastern audience

The Consulate General of Vietnam in Vladivostok, in cooperation with the city administration, on August 15 introduced an exhibition of paintings on traditional Vietnamese Do paper by artist Ngo Duc Hoang.

Nearly 30 works created on the traditional material are on display at the Artetage Contemporary Art Centre in Vladivostok, bringing the delicate colours and distinctive imagery of Vietnam’s nature, people and culture to art and culture enthusiasts.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vladivostok Deputy Mayor Daria Stegniy praised the exhibition for its role in promoting cultural exchanges and people-to-people ties between Vietnam and Russia. She said the works not only offer Vladivostok audiences an opportunity to appreciate Vietnamese art, but also provide an emotional and vivid perspective on the Southeast Asian country and its people.

At the event, Vietnamese Consul General Nguyen Viet Kien said the exhibition is a meaningful cultural event reflecting the close cooperation between the Consulate General and Vladivostok. According to the diplomat, Vladivostok has long served as a historic bridge and a place of cultural exchange, helping strengthen the friendship between Vietnam and Russia. Hoang has spent more than 30 years devoted to painting and has achieved success working with a range of materials, including oil, silk and lacquer. For his presentation in Vladivostok, however, he chose Do paper as his principal medium, offering international audiences an insight into a distinctive form of traditional Vietnamese art.

Created between 2021 and 2026, the works explore a wide range of themes related to Vietnam, from urban life to the mountainous northwestern region, and from natural landscapes to images of the lotus, Vietnam’s national flower, reported VNA.

Artist Ngo Duc Hoang gives a live painting demonstration on traditional Do paper at the exhibition in Vladivostok on August 15. (Photo: VNA)

Solovyov Sergey Vladimirovich, Director of the Artetage Contemporary Art Centre, said he has seen many international groups of artists come to Vladivostok to present their works, but most have been group exhibitions. He said he is particularly impressed that a Vietnamese artist has chosen to hold a solo exhibition featuring such a substantial body of work.

Russian Vietnamese studies scholar Daria Mishukova expressed particular admiration for the paintings of lotus flowers and flowers from the northwestern region, while also saying she is especially fond of the Do paper.

Visitors were also captivated by a live painting demonstration on Do paper by Hoang. Before a large audience of guests and art lovers, the artist quickly created a work depicting Hanoi’s Old Quarter, evoking its street vendors and the distinctive rhythm of daily life in the capital.

Speaking about the exhibition, Hoang said he hopes to bring a contemporary spirit to the traditional medium, helping to carry forward Vietnam’s cultural values while creating new connections between art lovers in the two countries.

The exhibition will run until August 23.

10-day weather outlook: Torrential rain set to sweep northern Vietnam

A spell of torrential rain is forecast to sweep northern Vietnam and parts of north-central Vietnam from August 17-21, with some areas expected to receive more than 450mm.

From the night of August 17 through August 21, northern Vietnam and areas from Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh are likely to experience a spell of heavy rain, with total rainfall exceeding 450mm in some places. The heaviest rain is forecast to be concentrated across 13 provinces and cities, including the capital Hanoi.

According to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, a tropical convergence zone stretching across the southern part of the Red River Delta and north-central Vietnam will trigger widespread heavy rain across northern Vietnam and areas from Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh in the coming days.

Specifically, from around the night of August 17 through August 21, northern Vietnam, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh are forecast to see moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms, with very heavy rain in some locations. Total rainfall is generally expected to reach 150-300mm during the spell, with localized totals exceeding 450mm.

The localities of Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, southern Tuyen Quang, Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Son La, Hanoi, Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An and Ha Tinh are forecast to receive total rainfall of 150-300mm during the period, with more than 450mm possible in some locations.

Meanwhile, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, northern Tuyen Quang, Cao Bang and Lang Son are expected to record total rainfall of 100-200mm, with localized amounts exceeding 300mm.

Notably, the weather agency has warned of the risk of intense downpours delivering more than 100mm of rain within three hours.

During thunderstorms, residents should remain alert to hazardous weather including tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong wind gusts.

Localized heavy rain could heighten the risk of flash floods along small rivers and streams and landslides on steep slopes, while also causing flooding in low-lying areas and urban centers.

The weather agency has advised residents to closely monitor weather forecasts and warnings and prepare appropriate response measures, particularly in areas facing a high risk of flash floods and landslides.

Weather outlook for the next 10 days, from the night of August 15 through August 25

From the night of August 15 through August 17

Before the major rain spell arrives, northern Vietnam will see scattered showers and thunderstorms in the late afternoon and at night from August 15-17, with localized heavy rain, while sunny intervals are expected during the day. On August 17 in particular, showers and scattered thunderstorms are forecast across the region, with heavy rain in some places.

Hanoi is set to face a spell of heavy rain in the coming days. Photo: Hoang Minh

Areas from Thanh Hoa to Hue City and the south-central coast will see showers and thunderstorms in some places during the late afternoon and at night. Thanh Hoa and Nghe An, in particular, are expected to experience scattered showers and thunderstorms, with localized heavy rain. During the day, hot weather is forecast across the region, with severe heat in some locations.

In the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam, scattered showers and thunderstorms are expected, with localized heavy rain.

Heavy rain in northern and north-central Vietnam from the night of August 17

According to the weather outlook through August 25, northern Vietnam is likely to experience moderate to heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms from around the night of August 17 through August 21, with very heavy rain in some locations. From August 22, rainfall is expected to ease, with the region seeing scattered showers and thunderstorms and localized heavy rain.

From Thanh Hoa to Ha Tinh, moderate to heavy rain and scattered thunderstorms are forecast from the night of August 17 through August 21, with very heavy rain in some places. From August 22, showers and thunderstorms are expected in a few locations, VNN reported.

From Quang Tri to Hue City and along the south-central coast, the weather will mainly feature isolated showers and thunderstorms, with sunny conditions during the day and hot weather in some places. From August 18-20, however, areas from Quang Tri to Da Nang City are forecast to see scattered showers and thunderstorms.

In the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam, showers and thunderstorms are expected in a few places, becoming scattered in the afternoon and evening, with localized heavy rain.

Tornadoes, lightning, hail and strong wind gusts may occur during thunderstorms.

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