The year 2023 is of significance as it marks the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties, and 10 years since the establishment of the strategic partnership. The two countries have joined hands in organising celebration activities, demonstrating the importance they attach to a good friendship.

Over the last 50 years, relations between Vietnam and Belgium have developed from pure humanitarian cooperation into an increasingly effective economic partnership, said President of the Belgium - Vietnam Friendship Association (ABV) Pierre Gréga.

About 500 Cambodian people and those of the Vietnamese origin in Borebo district, Cambodia's Kampong Chhnang province, received free health check-ups and medicine on March 18.

The Bangladesh-Vietnam Friendship Society (BVFS) was officially established on March 13, as one of the activities marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Bangladesh diplomatic relationship.

The 7th congress of the Vietnam-France Friendship and Cooperation Association took place in Hanoi on March 17 to review its operation in the past tenure, elect a new leadership, and set out orientations and tasks serving the 2023-2028 tenure.

Continuing the visit in Vietnam, the delegation of Thailand-Vietnam Friendship Association recently had working session with representatives from the entrepreneur communities in Vietnam. The parties exchanged information and explored opportunities for cooperation in supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), young businesses, and start-ups of the two countries

The Vietnam - Thailand Friendship Association and the Thailand - Vietnam Friendship Association agree to work on realizing their roles in creating businesses network and implementing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.

The Belgium - Vietnam Friendship Association donated EUR 1,100 to victims of Agent Orange/dioxin in Dong Nai province

The 23rd Francophone Festival of the Mekong Delta Region opened in Can Tho city on March 11, aiming to encourage the movement of teaching and learning French, thus boosting Vietnam-France relations in all fields.

The Consulate General of Hungary in Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) in collaboration with the HCMC Union of Friendship Organizations and the Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Association in HCMC organized a ceremony to mark the 73rd anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Hungary diplomatic relations on the evening of February 24.

The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations held a gathering on January 10 marking the 64th anniversary of the National Day of Cuba (January 1, 1959-2023).

A friendship cycling journey took place in Hanoi’s Hoan Kiem district on December 11 with a view to raising public awareness of environmental protection.

Committee for Foreign Non-Governmental Organization Affairs (COMINGO) chooses 2023 to make breakthroughs in administrative procedures for foreign non-governmental organizations (FNG), which is an important measure to maintain a favorable environment in aid mobilization and a key in building the image of Vietnam in the eyes of donors, NGOs, and international friends.

US Agency for International Development (USAID) Administrator Samantha Power has affirmed that the agency will implement many programmes to support Vietnamese people.

The signing ceremony of grassroots grant projects for the Vietnamese people takes place at the Japanese Embassy in Hanoi.

US announces a new USD 73 million contract to clean up dioxin at Bien Hoa air base

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has highlighted the need to establish a social ethical standard in relations and behaviours regarding water resources, especially transboundary water, in accordance with the principles of fairness, equality, rationality, and respect for the rights and interests of other countries in river basins.

The application of digital science and technology towards the goal of gender equality requires political will and real actions of governments and the willingness to transform of relevant sectors in society, affirmed a Vietnamese official.

Vietnamese students at the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia (RUDN) held a gala on March 18 to wrap up the Vietnamese culture week here.

The Paris-based Association of Vietnamese Scientists and Experts (AVSE Global) held a round-table discussion on March 18 to review its activities in the recent past and introduce coming projects.

A seminar was held in Hanoi on March 21 to look back on achievements during the 50 years of the Vietnam - UK diplomatic relationship and the prospects of future bilateral ties.

The Vietnam-Venezuela Friendship Association on March 14 presented copies of the Vietnamese version of a book entitled “Xin chao” (Hello), written by Angel Miguel Bastidas Gonzalez, former second Secretary at the Venezuelan Embassy to Vietnam, to the Dinh Huu Du Bookcase Initiative set up by the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union chapter at the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

Thanks to the American Center Hanoi, on Feb 17, Hanoi's young people learned about Black History Month by taking part in fun activities involving colorful fabric.

Vietnam was one of the 14 countries elected by the United Nations (UN) General Assembly to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2023-2025 term on October 11, 2022. This is the fruit of tireless efforts made by the nation’s Party and State in taking care of its people and protecting human rights with many favourable policies to ensure people’s comprehensive development and leave no one behind. The efforts have been recognised and praised by the international community.

Vietnam ranks 65th out of 137 countries and territories in the 2020-2022 period as per the World Happiness Report 2023, up 12 places from the 2022 Report.

As Vietnam has made a strong commitment to carbon emission neutrality by mid-century, foreign direct investments in the country have begun to go green to join the efforts.

CNN recently has listed the UNESCO heritage site Ha Long Bay among the 25 most gorgeous destinations on Earth, beside Samburu (Kenya), Rotorua (New Zealand) and Kata Tjuta (Australia).

With a fresh open-door policy as well as attractive incentives and investment environment, Vietnam has drawn a large amount of foreign direct investment (FDI) in recent years despite the impact of COVID-19 across the globe. According to experts, FDI has driven the country’s economic development and international economic integration.

From 1977 to now, Vietnam remains consistent and steadfast in negotiations to reach agreements in accordance with the law and international practice of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982). Vietnam applies the principle of equity to achieve a just solution.

Russian scholars highlighted the strategic value of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in settling the East Sea issue while attending a scientific workshop held at the Institute of Oriental Studies (IOS) under the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS) on January 19.

Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh, former Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs made an overall assessment when reviewing the situation in the South China Sea in the past year.

Implementing the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) and other international instruments to address emerging maritime issues has been the focus of a workshop in Hanoi on November 30 and December 1.