Vietnam News Today (Nov. 6): Vietnam Elected Vice President of 43rd Session of UNESCO’s General Conference

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Deputy Foreign Minister Ngo Le Van presents policy remarks at the 43rd Session of the UNESCO General Conference.

Vietnam elected Vice President of 43rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference

Vietnam has been elected a Vice President of the 43rd session of the UNESCO’s General Conference, which is taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

The country was also elected a Vice President of the 42nd session, representing the Asia-Pacific, in 2023.

Being entrusted with this role for two consecutive terms underscores Vietnam’s growing stature, credibility, and contribution capacity at global multilateral institutions. It also reflects the international community’s confidence in the country’s proactive and responsible engagement, as well as its leadership capacity within UNESCO.

The General Conference is UNESCO’s highest governing body, comprising all 194 member states. It holds the authority to decide on the organisation’s strategic issues, including directions, policies, cooperation programmes, medium-term budget, and the election of its governing bodies.

Vietnam’s election as a Vice President enables the country to make more substantive contributions to UNESCO’s policy-making, coordination, and implementation of initiatives across education, culture, natural and social sciences, and information and communications.

The Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ngo Le Van, is actively participating in the session, which runs from October 30 to November 13.

Speaking at the high-level plenary session on November 4, Van commended UNESCO’s role and contributions over the past 80 years since its establishment in 1945 in promoting peace, mutual understanding among nations, and sustainable development worldwide.

He emphasized that UNESCO should further leverage its unique role, strengthen multilateralism and international solidarity, and promote innovative and inclusive approaches, cited VNA.

On this occasion, the official highlighted Vietnam’s key policies and initiatives in education, culture, and science.

Vietnam affirms that culture must serve as a pillar of peace, progress, and prosperity, as well as a fundamental and endogenous driver of sustainable development, he said.

In this spirit, Vietnam proposes that UNESCO recommend the United Nations soon launch an “International Decade of Culture for Sustainable Development,” he said, adding at the national level, Vietnam is formulating a resolution on revitalizing and developing Vietnamese culture in the new era.

Recalling the signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime held in Hanoi in October, along with events marking the 50th anniversary of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Programme (IHP) and 60 years of Water Sciences at UNESCO, he said they demonstrate Vietnam’s commitment and determination to actively contribute to global efforts in promoting digital security and water security.

The official also highlighted Vietnam’s recent contributions to UNESCO’s network of designated titles, including Ho Chi Minh City’s recognition as a Creative City in film category in October, and UNESCO’s decision to honor and jointly commemorate the 300th birth anniversary of Le Quy Don - one of Vietnam’s greatest cultural figures and scholars.

This is not only a source of pride for Vietnam but also a tribute to the universal values of cultural diversity and creativity, he noted.

On this occasion, Van met with UNESCO leaders and head delegates from several member states to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO, as well as with other countries. He also sought support for Vietnam’s initiatives and nominations for UNESCO titles.

International partners highly valued Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements and its increasingly active and substantive contributions to UNESCO, the UN, and other multilateral forums.

Border defense friendship exchange strengthens Vietnam-Cambodia cooperation

The Ministry of National Defense held a press briefing on the morning of November 5 in Hanoi, introducing the second Vietnam-Cambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange.

Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Duc, Director of the Department of Propaganda and Training (General Political Department of the Vietnam People’s Army), chaired the briefing, with Major General Leang Sovannara, Defense Attaché of Cambodia to Vietnam, and representatives from several units of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defense in attendance.

In his opening remarks, Lieutenant General Nguyen Van Duc highlighted that following the successful first Border Defense Friendship Exchange in 2022 in Vietnam’s former Binh Phuoc province and Cambodia’s Kratie province, this year’s event is a key defense diplomacy activity of 2025 for the armed forces of both countries.

Scheduled for November 12-14, 2025, in the shared border area of Vietnam’s Tay Ninh province and Cambodia’s Svay Rieng, the exchange is expected to demonstrate the solidarity, friendship, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia, and directly consolidate political trust, enhance practical cooperation among border management forces, local authorities, and residents on both sides, contributing to a peaceful, friendly, stable, and cooperative Vietnam-Cambodia border, according to VOV.

At the press briefing on the second Vietnam-Cambodia Border Defense Friendship Exchange (Photo: qdnd.vn)

Regarding the program, Colonel Dang Thanh Minh, Deputy Director of the Ministry’s Department of External Relations, said major activities in Vietnam will include an official welcome for the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense of Cambodia; a tree-planting ceremony; joint military medical exercises; inauguration of the Binh Cau Primary School boarding area (Thuan Lam Hamlet, Ben Cau Commune, Tay Ninh province); twinning of border community clusters between Long Cuong Hamlet (Long Thuan Commune, Tay Ninh province, Vietnam) and O Ta Mo Hamlet (Mo No Rum Commune, Svay Teap District, Svay Rieng province, Cambodia); meetings and signing of cooperation documents between the two ministries; and a visit to the 5th Division Museum (Military Region 7).

In Cambodia, main activities will include welcoming and seeing off the Vietnamese Minister of National Defense; a ceremony at Sovereignty Marker 171; tree planting; joint border patrols; groundbreaking for the Sang Sovan Primary School friendship project (Svay Teap District, Svay Rieng province); and a visit to the provincial Gendarmerie Command in Svay Rieng.

Prior to the official exchange, activities will cover joint medical services, providing free treatment and medicines to residents on both sides of the border, and a Vietnam-Cambodia young officers’ exchange.

The young officers’ exchange highlights the unity and shared commitment of Vietnamese and Cambodian border management forces, reinforcing trust among residents, border forces, and local authorities. Thirty young officers from the Cambodian Royal Army’s Land Forces and 30 Vietnamese officers from the Army and Police, including Border Guard units, will participate in activities such as youth tree-planting, sports exchanges, legal education for border residents, and cultural and political discussions.

Vietnam promotes tourism in US, eyes to expand business connections

The Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) organized the Vietnam Tourism Roadshow in Washington D.C. on November 4 evening (local time).

It marks the first stop in a series of promotion activities in the US aimed at strengthening tourism cooperation, promoting two-way visitor exchanges, and expanding connectivity between the two countries’ travel agents.

At the event, 18 leading Vietnamese tourism and hospitality enterprises and airlines participated in B2B (business-to-business) meetings with representatives from hundreds of US travel agencies, associations, airlines, and media organisations.

Many US partners appreciated the potential of Vietnam’s tourism, expressing their desire to cooperate in expanding flight routes and developing new tourism products, while strengthening the promotion of its destinations in the North American market, VNA reported.

Delegates attend the Vietnam Tourism Roadshow in Washington D.C. (Photo: VNA)

Nguyen Thi Hoa Mai, VNAT Vice Chairwoman, said that with the message “Vietnam: A World of Experiences, Exceptional Value,” Vietnam aims to offer US travelers rich and unique experiences that combine heritage, culture, cuisine, relaxation, and high-quality tourism products.

Since the normalization of diplomatic relations in 1995, tourism has become one of the most important bridges, not only economically, but also culturally and in terms of people-to-people exchanges, helping citizens of both nations understand each other more deeply.

The US is one of Vietnam's top priority tourism markets, with nearly 623,000 American visitors to Vietnam in the first nine months of 2025.

Mai noted that the US is not only one of the largest source markets for visitors to Vietnam but also a market with high spending capacity and long stays, typically around 12 days. Therefore, it is one of the key target markets for Vietnam’s tourism sector to attract more visitors, thus contributing to the country’s GDP growth.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung affirmed that the flourishing Vietnam-US ties and the unique history that binds the two nations provide a powerful foundation for expanding tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Travel remains one of the most effective ways to deepen mutual understanding and build meaningful connections between the two countries' people.

Following Washington D.C., the 2025 Vietnam Tourism Roadshow in the US will be held in New York on November 6, and Boston on November 10. At each stop, the VNAT introduces Vietnam’s new tourism products, policies, and destinations, focusing on types of tourism that appeal to the US market, such as beach resorts, golf tourism, MICE tourism (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions), wellness tourism, heritage tourism, and culinary tourism.

Central Vietnam steps up flood relief, braces for typhoon Kalmaegi

Central localities are rushing to overcome the aftermath of severe flooding, focusing on relief for areas still isolated by landslides and inundation, while simultaneously preparing response measures for the approaching typhoon Kalmaegi.

According to data as of the morning of November 5, flooding from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai has left 50 people dead or missing and caused more than 100 houses to collapse or be swept away.

Nearly 48,000 homes remain submerged. The number of flooded houses remains particularly high in localities forecast to be directly affected when the typhoon makes landfall, including Da Nang with over 16,000 homes and Quang Ngai with more than 12,000. Prolonged exposure to floodwaters leaves houses more vulnerable to strong winds, raising concerns among residents in disaster-prone central regions.

The latest forecasts show that typhoon Kalmaegi is moving quickly and expected to make landfall with high intensity, bringing heavy rainfall to the central region, including areas already severely affected by recent floods. The disaster risk level is classified at level 4, VOV reported.

Border guards assist fishermen in bringing boats to safe shelter.

As of November 5, more than 16,000 households in Hue remain inundated. Local authorities are continuing assessments and stand ready to evacuate residents in high-risk areas, especially coastal zones, landslide-prone areas, low-lying floodplains, and deeply submerged areas, while ensuring temporary shelter, food, and essential supplies for affected communities.

Border Guard forces in Da Nang are calling on and guiding fishing vessels at sea to leave dangerous areas or seek safe shelter. At Ky Ha-Chu Lai, An Hoa, and Tho Quang fishing ports, armed forces are assisting fishermen with mooring arrangements, evacuating crews from boats, fish cages, watch huts and aquaculture zones, and preparing for potential thunderstorms before and during landfall. In southern Quang Nam, authorities are also reinforcing safety measures for tourism operations and aquaculture along coastal areas, estuaries, and river mouths.

Meanwhile, in response to alerts via Zalo, radio, and directives from the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, all fishing vessel owners in Vung Tau Ward have proactively returned to shore or moved away from hazardous waters.

According to Le Hai Van, Deputy Head of the Ward’s Economic, Infrastructure and Urban Affairs Office, the area has 549 offshore fishing vessels, and by the morning of November 5, 100% of vessel owners had been informed of typhoon Kalmaegi’s trajectory and had secured safe shelter.

Vietnam Film Festival 2025 honors history through cinema

“Red Rain” and “The Tunnel” – two war-themed blockbusters released in honor of the A50 and A80 anniversaries – are set to compete for top honors at the 2025 Vietnam Film Festival, taking place in Ho Chi Minh City from November 21 to 25.

This national cultural and artistic event is held in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam’s reunification and the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day. It also marks 55 years since the first Vietnam Film Festival in 1970.

The festival is an opportunity for Ho Chi Minh City to showcase its dynamic transformation and reaffirm its role as a center for economy, culture, education, and science-technology. This year’s edition holds special significance as the city was recently recognized as the first UNESCO Creative City of Film in Vietnam and Southeast Asia.

Under the slogan “Vietnamese cinema - Sustainable development and international integration in the new era,” the 24th Vietnam Film Festival aims to introduce new Vietnamese films to the public. It will create opportunities for interaction between filmmakers and audiences, provide insights into public preferences, and enhance the professionalism of the country’s film industry.

The festival also encourages knowledge-sharing among artists, film producers, cultural managers, screenwriters, distributors, and exhibitors, fostering growth in Vietnam’s cinematic sector, cited VNN.

The People's Army Cinema has confirmed to VietNamNet that it will submit “Red Rain” for competition at the 24th Vietnam Film Festival.

The organizing committee has received 30 feature films, 120 documentaries, 21 scientific films, and 32 animated films. A selection committee was formed to review entries for the competition and panoramic screening categories.

Among the 16 feature films chosen for competition are box office hits with revenues exceeding 100 billion VND (around $4 million), including Red Rain, The Tunnel, Airborne Battle, The Four Avengers, and Detective Kien.

A pre-festival film week will run from November 15 to 20, with 15 selected films screened for free across major cities and provinces including Childhood Moon, Dao, Pho and Piano, The Scent of Burnt Grass, Hong Ha Lady Poet, The Crimson Dawn, Jasmine Flowers, The Returnee, Legend of Quan Tien, Dong Loc Junction, Hanoi 12 Days and Nights, The Prophet, I See Yellow Flowers on the Green Grass, Legendary Writers, Living with History, The Warbler, The Couple A Phu, August Stars, and The 17th Parallel – Days and Nights.

Notably, with support from the People’s Army Cinema and the General Political Department of the Vietnam People’s Army, Red Rain – Vietnam’s highest-grossing film in history – will be screened during the film week to spread patriotic spirit and cinematic appreciation among audiences in Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, Quang Ninh, Hue, Da Nang, Dak Lak, Can Tho, and Ho Chi Minh City.

At the press conference on the morning of November 5, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Ta Quang Dong shared that this year's Vietnam Film Festival has received the highest number of film submissions to date (202 films).

In addition to the main awards, the Minister will present three special certificates of merit to the Vietnamese film distributor with the most releases between two festival editions, a Vietnamese individual with significant contributions to the film industry, and a foreign individual who has played a key role in promoting Vietnamese cinema.

A new highlight of this year's festival is a program inviting renowned filmmakers and actors to share their experiences with students at film schools in Ho Chi Minh City.

The opening and closing ceremonies, including the awards presentation, will be held outdoors at the Independence Palace on November 21 and 25 and broadcast live on VTV9.

At the press conference in Hanoi, Thanh Thuy, Deputy Director of Ho Chi Minh City’s Department of Culture and Sports, stated: “As the nation’s film production center, we are committed to organizing a truly professional and vibrant film festival.”

The jury list and full lineup of the 16 feature films in competition remain confidential for now.

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