Dien Bien strengthens cooperation, exchanges with three northern Lao provinces
A meeting between the Dien Bien Party Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation and the propaganda information and training commissions of the Party committees of the Lao provinces of Phongsaly, Oudomxay and Luang Prabang was held in Vietnam's northwestern mountainous province on December 17.
Head of the Dien Bien commission Vu A Bang affirmed that the Vietnam-Laos great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation provide a solid foundation for ties between their localities.
Reviewing the implementation of the memorandum of understanding signed in June 2019 between Dien Bien and the three northern Lao provinces, he noted that the sides have shared experience in information and education work, and maintained biennial meetings on a rotating host basis, according to VNA.
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| At the meeting between the Dien Bien Party Committee’s Commission for Information, Education and Mass Mobilisation and the propaganda information and training commissions of the Party committees of the Lao provinces of Phongsaly, Oudomxay and Luang Prabang, held in Vietnam's northwestern mountainous province on December 17. (Photo: dienbientv.vn) |
At the event, the delegations briefed each other on socio-economic development, national defence and security, and Party building in their respective provinces, while exchanging experience in information, education and communications work.
The sides discussed and agreed on future cooperation priorities, focusing on stepping up communications and education for officials, armed forces and the public on the tradition of solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and States, as well as ties between Dien Bien and the Lao provinces as well as between their information and training bodies.
They also agreed to enhance collaboration, information sharing and coordination in information, education, mass mobilisation and communications work, while promoting publicity on the implementation of their provinces’ high-level agreements.
In addition, the delegations exchanged experience in monitoring public opinion and coordinating efforts to counter hostile and distorted narratives in cyberspace. They agreed to maintain the mechanism of holding regular talks every two years on a rotating basis.
Vietnam makes strides in child labor prevention and elimination
The International Labor Organization (ILO), in coordination with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) jointly hosted a ceremony on December 17 to mark the 25th anniversary of Vietnam's ratification of ILO Convention No.182 on the worst forms of child labor.
Since ratifying the Convention in 2000, Vietnam has made significant progress in preventing and reducing child labor through legal reforms, national programs and strengthened inter-agency coordination.
According to national surveys conducted by the National Statistics Office with ILO support, the proportion of children got involved in economic activities declined sharply from 9.1 percent in 2018 to 3.5 percent in 2023.
However, an estimated 94,300 children are still engaged in hazardous work, and nearly 12 out of every 100 children in child labor face health-related risks, highlighting the need for sustained and targeted interventions.
Sinwon Park, Director of ILO Country Office for Vietnam, said the achievements of the past 25 years were the outcomes of persistent efforts by the Government, employers' and workers' organizations, and development partners. She noted that ILO-supported initiatives, including the Project on Technical Support for Enhancing the National Capacity to Prevent and Reduce Child Labor in Vietnam (Enhance Project), have strengthened national systems for prevention, identification, referral and remediation of child labor cases.
Ending child labor is not only about protecting children's rights, but also about investing in Vietnam's future workforce and inclusive economic growth, Park said, stressing that keeping children in school and ensuring decent work for adults generates long-term benefits for families, businesses and the wider economy.
Deputy Director of the Department of Mother and Child Affairs Nguyen Thi Nga under the Ministry of Health, said child protection is a shared responsibility involving families, communities, state agencies, workers, employers and businesses, stressing that no single actor can eliminate child labor alone.
As the country deepens its integration into global supply chains and advances digital transformation, she said, new risks, including online exploitation of children, are emerging alongside traditional vulnerabilities such as poverty, migration and informal employment. This requires child protection systems capable of responding effectively in both online and offline environments, grounded in prevention, education and strong law enforcement, VGP reported.
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| The 25th anniversary of Vietnam's ratification of ILO Convention No.182, Ha Noi, December 17, 2025 |
To achieve sustainable and inclusive economic growth, Vietnam must continue to place the protection of children's fundamental rights at the center of integrated policy approaches, including education and social protection, Nguyen stated.
At the ceremony, representatives of the ILO, UNICEF and other United Nations agencies in Vietnam reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the country in implementing national programs and strengthening labor law enforcement and social protection systems. As Vietnam prepares its national program on the prevention and reduction of child labor for 2026–2030, the 25-year milestone was seen as an opportunity to accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) target 8.7 on ending child labor in all its forms.
As Vietnam is developing the National Program on the Prevention and Reduction of Child Labor for the 2026–2030 period, this 25-year milestone presents an important opportunity to further accelerate progress toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 8.7 — ending child labor in all its forms.
Two nations, one vision: Vietnam, India deepen traditional medicine partnership ahead of WHO Summit
As the world prepares for the second WHO Global Summit on Traditional Medicine, scheduled from 17–19 December 2025 in New Delhi, India and Vietnam are set to highlight their emerging bilateral partnership in the field of traditional medicine.
The collaboration blends traditional knowledge with modern scientific innovation and aligns with the Summit's theme, "Restoring Balance: The Science and Practice of Health and Well-being."
Co-hosted by WHO Global Traditional Medicine Centre (WHO-GTMC) and the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India, the Summit will explore how traditional knowledge systems can contribute to holistic, sustainable and evidence-based health solutions. India–Vietnam cooperation has evolved through specialized workshops and high-level engagements, reflecting both countries' shared commitment to strengthening integrative healthcare, cited VGP.
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| In Vietnam, surveys of medicinal genetic resources have recorded 5,117 species, including many rare and valuable medicinal plants, along with a rich repository of traditional medicine knowledge that has been accumulated over many generations. |
Shri Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Ayush and the Minister of State in the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, mentioned: "India and Vietnam are natural partners in advancing a science-based global movement on traditional medicine. As we host the WHO Global Summit in New Delhi, our joint work reflects a shared vision—combining traditional knowledge systems with modern innovation to deliver holistic, accessible and sustainable healthcare solutions for the world."
Vaidya Rajesh Kotecha, Secretary, Ministry of Ayush, highlighted: "Our collaborations demonstrate how evidence-based traditional medicine can strengthen public health and research ecosystems. Together, India and Vietnam are building models of integrative healthcare that align with the WHO Traditional Medicine Strategy 2025–2034."
The Ministry of Ayush organised a Workshop on Traditional and Complementary Medicine under the Mekong Ganga Cooperation (MGC) Programme in India, bringing together experts and policymakers from the region. A five-member delegation from Vietnam from the Traditional Medicine Administration (TMA), will participate in the event, further strengthening India–Vietnam cooperation in the field of traditional and complementary medicine. The International Day of Yoga is celebrated every year in Vietnam with much enthusiasm with participation from all walks of life.
As India and Vietnam continue to work closely in medicinal plant research, capacity building, knowledge sharing and regulatory cooperation, their partnership stands as a powerful example of how traditional medicine can inspire regional and global health innovations.
The 2025 Summit in New Delhi will provide an important platform for both nations to reaffirm their shared commitment to advancing holistic and evidence-based healthcare for the world.
Culinary culture festival links heritage with creativity
Food enthusiasts will be invited to a rich gastronomic journey at the Hanoi Culinary Culture Festival 2025, themed “Hanoi – a culinary journey connecting creativity”, which promises to showcase the depth and diversity of the capital’s cuisine.
At a press briefing on December 16, Le Thi Anh Mai, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports, said the festival, to be held from December 19 to 21, is designed as a vibrant meeting point where culinary artisans share their stories and pass on heritage to younger generations. A wide range of activities will be held, including thematic seminars, hands-on demonstration workshops led by master chefs, and quick-fire cooking contests for students under the guidance of seasoned artisans.
Traditional culinary experiences will be a major highlight, with workshops on making banh chung (square sticky rice cake), preparing Bat Trang ceremonial feasts, scenting West Lake lotus tea, crafting com (green young sticky rice), and cooking Phu Thuong sticky rice, all expected to draw strong public and visitor interest, cited VNA.
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| Foreign tourists savour local foods on Ta Hien street in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA) |
The event will feature 60 exhibition spaces presenting Hanoi cuisine alongside regional food specialties, offering residents and visitors an opportunity to taste a wide array of distinctive dishes. Beyond celebration, the festival seeks to honour the value of traditional culinary heritage and further affirm the “Hanoi Cuisine” brand, long associated with elegance and refinement. Notably, the opening ceremony will see the announcement of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism’s decision to add the “Knowledge of preparing and enjoying Cha ca La Vong (La Vong grilled fish) in Hanoi” to the National List of Intangible Cultural Heritage.
Also at the press conference, Shimamura Masafumi, Marketing Division Director of Acecook Vietnam JSC, said that in November 2025 the company signed a five-year strategic cooperation agreement with the Hanoi Department of Culture and Sports and Kinh te & Do thi (Economic & Urban Affairs) Newspaper. The partnership aims to preserve and promote Vietnam’s culinary cultural industries, with pho, a hallmark of Vietnamese cuisine, identified as the focal point, towards the long-term goal of elevating the dish for UNESCO recognition and introducing it more widely to international diners.
Marking its 30th year in Vietnam in 2025, Acecook has continued to invest in research, innovation and the promotion of Vietnamese pho. Shimamura stressed that cooperation with Hanoi, widely regarded as the cradle of pho culture, carries special significance, adding that the partners are working on a structured, long-term roadmap to turn their shared vision into reality.
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