Vietnam-initiated International Day of Play celebrated in New York
Vietnam, along with other core group countries, brought the first-ever International Day of Play to life at the United Nations headquarters in New York on June 11.
UNICEF Ambassador Lucy Liu speaks about the meaning of play to children’s development (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam,🧔 along with other core group countries, brought the first-ever International Day of Play to life at the United Nations headquarters in New York on June 11.
The day (June 11), designated by UN General Assembly Resolution 78/268 on March 25, was initiated by Vietnam and the five other core group countries (including Bulgaria, El Salvador, Jamaica, Kenya, and Luxembourg) and co-sponsored by 138 nations.
During a high-level discussion marking the occasion, delegates highlighted the critical role of play in child development and social progress worldwide.
Scholars and experts urged the international community and individual countries to prioritise this vital aspect of childhood through dedicated policies and programmes. The goal is to ensure that all children, regardless of circumstance, have the opportunity to play, develop, and become positive contributors to the society and the world.
Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu and Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang joined the celebration as special guests at an "Early Learning through Play" event where they engaged in play-based learning activities with preschoolers from the UN International School (UNIS) in New York.
On the occasion, the regional president of the LEGO Group for the Americas commended Vietnam's role in advocating the UN resolution, and expressed his hope for continued collaboration to spread the importance of play for children worldwide. Additionally, he also acknowledged Vietnam's support for the LEGO factory in the southern province of Binh Duong to operate soon./.
In anticipation of the inaugural International Day of Play on June 11, the UN agencies in Hanoi celebrated the occasion early on May 30, following the March 25 approval of the UN General Assembly’s resolution initiated by Vietnam and co-sponsored by 138 countries.
The United Nations (UN) General Assembly on March 25 passed a draft resolution proposed by Vietnam and some other countries designating June 11 as International Day of Play.
The programmes have brought about positive changes to rural infrastructure, comprehensively improved the material and spiritual lives of farmers, and contributed to Vietnam's economic restructuring, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.
The festival highlighted the contributions and robust development of Vietnam's revolutionary press over the past century while promoting press products and showcasing the creativity of Vietnamese journalists.
The programme on sustainable poverty reduction has achieved its annual targets for reducing the poverty rate as assigned by the National Assembly and the Government. It has fulfilled five specific objectives and five five-year goals, and met nine out of 12 indicators related to addressing basic social service shortages.
UNICEF stands ready to support the Government in implementing this important law and in continuing to invest in teachers as the cornerstone of a resilient, inclusive, and high-quality education system for all children.
PM Pham Minh Chinh highlighted how Vietnam's revolutionary press has continuously evolved and strengthened over the past century, affirming its role as a sharp and vital political, cultural, and ideological weapon serving the Fatherland and the people in the glorious revolutionary cause of the Party.
Vietnamese Consul General in Fukuoka Vu Chi Mai highlighted the growing demand for Vietnamese workers in Kyushu, especially in Fukuoka, Oita, and Saga prefectures. Currently, the region employs about 35,000 Vietnamese manual workers and over 5,000 IT engineers.
In Vietnam’s case, she said, President Ho Chi Minh demonstrated his strategic vision by founding the revolutionary press a century ago. The late leader understood the press's role not only as a means to reflect the country’s realities but also as a powerful tool to strengthen national unity and inspire the resistance wars and national construction process.
In recent interviews granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters in Mexico, prominent figures reflected on the press’s legacy and its global influence.
VietnamPlus e-newspaper of the VNA clinched an A prize in the “Outstanding Press Product” category for its immersive 3D multimedia project, “Epic of Reunification,” a groundbreaking blend of storytelling and technology. The VNA won another A prize for its eye-catching exhibition booth.
Today, the press for foreign service has evolved into a distinct, irreplaceable force, bridging Vietnam with the world and portraying a nation that is stable, peace-loving, and fully integrated into the international community.
At a review conference held on June 21, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Van Sinh praised the province’s scientific, coordinated, and flexible approach. He noted that the early completion reflects the strong commitment of local authorities, the business community, philanthropists, and residents in improving housing conditions for disadvantaged groups.
The VNA delegation, led by General Director Vu Viet Trang, actively participated in the event, engaging in both professional and diplomatic activities.
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.
