VietExplorer2025

As one of the most important cities in Vietnam during the French colonial period, Hai Phong has a rich architectural heritage influenced by French design. These buildings are not only important cultural landmarks, but also serve as reminders of the city’s historical development. The Governor’s Building is currently the headquarters of the People’s Committee of Hai Phong City. Photo: Le Minh East meets West in architecture The urban development of Hai Phong lagged behind that of larger cities like Hanoi, Saigon, and Da Nang after the war. However, the city’s architectural charm lies in its harmonious blend of Asian and European influences. Many neighborhoods in Hai Phong still boast well-preserved French colonial-era buildings, such as the villas in Hong Bang district. Notable structures include the former Hai Phong City Hall (now the Hai Phong People’s Committee Office) and the town hospital (now the Military Hospital 7), which were among the first buildings erected by the Frenc...

The spouse of Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Dato’ Seri Dr. Wan Azizah Binti Wan Ismail, met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s spouse, Le Thi Bich Tran, during Prime Minister Ibrahim’s two-day visit to Vietnam. As part of their visit, both spouses enjoyed water puppet performances at the Vietnam Contemporary Art Theater in Hanoi. The visit took place on July 20, 2023, and Prime Minister Ibrahim and his spouse arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. They were invited by their Vietnamese counterparts, Prime Minister Chinh and his spouse. During the visit, the spouses were introduced to the history of Vietnamese water puppetry and learned how to make puppets and perform with them. They also immersed themselves in Vietnam’s folk music played with traditional musical instruments. The Vietnamese water puppetry showcases daily life in the countryside and the Malaysian prime minister’s spouse was particularly impressed by performances of a dragon dance and a play where ...

During a business trip to Portugal, a delegation from the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City, led by Vice Chairman Duong Anh Duc, met with Porto Mayor Rui Moreira, according to VNA. Ho Chi Minh City and Porto City in Portugal signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the two cities for the period of 2023-2025. At the signing of the MoU between HCM City and Porto. Photo: VOV The MoU aims to enhance collaboration in culture, tourism, economy, trade, urban upgrading, and heritage conservation. Both cities will facilitate exchanges and sharing of experiences among their football teams and clubs, and encourage departments and agencies to increase cooperation. Vice Chairman Duc expressed his hope that the MoU will strengthen the partnership between the two cities, which are both economic hubs, especially in the areas of economy, culture, tourism, and innovation. This will contribute to promoting ties between Vietnam and Portugal. Mayor More...

A batch of the 5-in-1 vaccine, supported by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), arrived in Hanoi on July 27, as reported by VNA. The batch consists of 185,700 doses of the DTP-VGB-Hib vaccine, urgently provided to the Ministry of Health in Vietnam to address a reduction in immunization rates and a shortage of the 5-in-1 vaccine. The vaccines have been urgently provided to address low vaccination rates and a shortage of the five-in-one vaccine in Vietnam. Source: UNICEF Vietnam The 5-in-1 vaccine helps protect children against diseases such as diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis, hepatitis B, and Haemophilus Influenzae type B (Hib). It needs to be purchased from approved international suppliers. Routine immunization services in Vietnam, like in other countries around the world, have been disrupted during the Covid-19 pandemic. As a result, approximately 114,000 children under one year old in Vietnam have missed vaccinations for...

On July 27, representatives from the capital cities of Hanoi and Cairo signed a friendship and cooperation agreement. The signing ceremony took place in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang, who was on an official visit to Egypt. The agreement, signed by Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Quyen and Cairo Governor Khaled Abdel A’al, aims to foster the relations and enhance mutual understanding between the two cities in various fields including culture, sciences, education, healthcare, tourism, sports, environment, and trade. The signing ceremony of the Friendship and Cooperation Agreement between Hanoi and Cairo, Egypt. Photo: VGP/Hai Minh Speaking at the event, Quyen stated that the signing held great significance, taking place at a historical and crucial moment as Vietnam and Egypt commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations. During October 2022, Deputy Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committ...

Since November 2017, Vietnam and Canada have strengthened their comprehensive partnership and witnessed significant growth in bilateral ties. Defence cooperation between the two countries has yielded positive results in various areas, including delegation exchange, training, United Nations peacekeeping, and maritime security. The Vietnam – Canada Bilateral Defence Consultation 2023 took place on July 27. Photo; qdnd.vn The Vietnam – Canada Bilateral Defence Consultation 2023 was co-chaired by Major General Vu Thanh Van, Director of the Foreign Relations Department under the Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam, and Peter Hammerschmidt, Assistant Deputy Minister of Canada’s Department of National Defence. This virtual event took place during the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations (1973-2023). During the consultation, both sides acknowledged the growing importance of defence cooperation in the Vietnam-Canada Comprehensive Partners...