British NGOs propose ideas for Vietnam’s socio-economic development
A symposium was held in London on April 3 to discuss how British non-governmental organisations (NGO) that are operating in Vietnam can support the country’s socio-economic development.
Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long addresses the event. (Photo: VNA)
London (VNA) –A symposium was held in London on April 3 to discuss how Britishnon-governmental organisations (NGO) that are operating in Vietnam can support thecountry’s socio-economic development.
Representatives of theNGOs gave proposals on measures to assist Vietnam’s socio-economic expansionprocess, especially in the fields of health care, science-technology, climatechange, support to poor communities and ethnic minority groups, as well aswomen and girls’ empowerment. They also asked for more favourable conditionsfor their operations.
Vietnamese AmbassadorNguyen Hoang Long hailed the contributions from NGOs in general and those fromthe UK in particular to Vietnam’s development, affirming that the VietnameseEmbassy is ready to connect and support British NGOs during their operations inVietnam.
Peter Lidgard, President of Medical & Scientific Aid for Vietnam, Laos andCambodia (MSAVLC) thanked Vietnamese agencies and partners for supporting theorganisation’s activities. The great assistance, along with the courage,openness, honesty, friendliness and tolerance of Vietnamese people are adriving force for MSAVLC, which was established in 1965 to provide medicine andmedical equipment for Vietnam, to continue to work in the country even though thewar had ended for many years.
SrikaranSrivivekanandarajah from Phan International said that one of the difficulties the organisation is encountering in Vietnam is the prolonged approval process for new aid projects, affectingthe implementation of its time-limited projects.
Srivivekanandarajah saidthat global challenges such as climate change and economiccrisis have increasing impacts on lower-middle-income countries and Vietnam isnot an exception, pointing out that inequality is affecting vulnerable groups,especially young people suffering poverty, human trafficking and gender-basedviolence. This is a challenge that Plan International is working to address, hesaid.
Meanwhile, Olivia Hearn, CEO of Christian Noble Chidren’s Foundation, said thatalthough Vietnam has made great achievements in poverty reduction, the countryis facing many challenges, especially the engagement of youngsters in the process.
She suggested Vietnam promote efforts to support the poor and ethnic minoritycommunities in accessing education and health care services to improve their livingconditions.
Elizabeth Wells from Cherie Blair Foundation for Women said that it isnecessary to strengthen coordination between Vietnam and the UK, especiallyBritish organisations and businesses operating in Vietnam to meet the needs of the communities.
At the event, held withinthe framework of the Vietnam Days in London from March 28 to April 27 tocelebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-UK diplomaticrelations, Ambassador Long presented the British NGOs certificates in recognition of their contributions to Vietnam’s development./.
Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long and the UK Home Office’s Secretary of State for Immigration Robert Jenrick have discussed the possibility of expanding legal immigration opportunities for workers in a number of industries that Vietnam has strengths and the UK is in great demand.
Vietnam and the UK held the fourth defence policy dialogue in Hanoi on March 29 under the chair of Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien and The Baroness Goldie DL, Minister of State at the British Ministry of Defence, reported the Quan doi Nhan dan (People's Army) daily.
Speakers from the British Museum and Library have introduced documents on Vietnam’s culture and its long-standing ties with the UK, at a discovering-Vietnam event held at the D-Contemporary in central London.
In the context where AI dominates and produces vast volumes of content, the only sustainable path forward for journalism is to focus on high-quality content and core values. Journalism must redefine its mission - not to report the fastest, but to provide the most profound and trustworthy value.
Granma and the VNA have great potential for cooperation, especially in sharing content regularly, so that VNA products are published on Granma platforms and vice versa, thereby helping Cuban and Vietnamese people access true information and gain a deep understanding of each other's country and people.
During his stay in China’s Guangzhou city from 1924 to 1927 to prepare for the establishment of a Communist Party to lead Vietnam’s revolution, President Ho Chi Minh founded “Thanh nien” newspaper and released its first issue on June 21, 1925.
Vietnam and Cambodia are hoped to strengthen their robust collaboration across various sectors, particularly in resolving remaining border issues to transform the border area into a zone of peace, friendship, cooperation, and development.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang is intensifying efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as part of the country’s goal of having the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning lifted.
Throughout its 80-year history, the VNA has remained at the forefront of information dissemination. It has consistently delivered timely, accurate, and objective reports on both domestic and international events, serving the Party’s leadership, the State’s management, and the public’s demand for official news.
With strong support from local authorities, businesses, organisations, and residents, the province has successfully built or repaired 10,707 homes for disadvantaged households, including war veterans, families of martyrs, ethnic minority people, and low-income residents.
Throughout its resistance against colonialists and imperialists, Vietnam developed a revolutionary press that has served as a benchmark for just and legitimate causes worldwide.
Founded in 1842, the Vienna Philharmonic is regarded as a cultural ambassador of Austria, with prestigious conductors like Mahler and Karajan who shape its legacy. Its New Year’s Concert, broadcast to over 90 countries annually, stands as a global symbol of classical music excellence.
PM Chinh lauded the press’s historic role in the nation’s fight for independence and its ongoing process of national development, affirming that the Government always highly appreciates the close partnership and steadfast support of press agencies and journalists nationwide.
In recent decades, Vietnam’s mainstream media has become a reliable and persuasive channel for showcasing the nation’s development policies and achievements, especially in economic matters, according to a senior assistant editor at the Times of India.
A hub for sharing best practices, the event aims to forge solutions for financial sustainability, public media contracts, audience engagement, content innovation, and newsroom restructuring. It is also a moment for Vietnam’s media to accelerate its progress and figure out what the “revolutionary press” means in a new era.
From “Thanh nien”, Vietnam’s first revolutionary newspaper founded by Nguyen Ai Quoc (later President Ho Chi Minh) on June 21, 1925, the revolutionary press has remained devoted to its sacred missions -accompanying the nation, serving the Fatherland, and working for the people.
The official launch of Emirates’ Dubai–Da Nang route on June 2 has sparked a “tourism revolution” for Vietnam’s central coastal city. Da Nang is emerging as a top destination for high-end travelers, particularly from the lucrative Middle Eastern market.
Bernama CEO Datin Paduka Nur-ul Afida Kamaludin said VNA has been a consistent and reliable partner in OANA, contributing actively to the regional media landscape through content sharing, coordination, and policy discussions. Their coverage of ASEAN and Indochina issues adds valuable perspectives. Bernama appreciates the collaboration with VNA.
Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long addresses the event. (Photo: VNA) 
