Society

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued a dispatch directing ministries, sectors and localities to accelerate the development of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure in urban areas and apartment buildings.

The Lao Government and the Laos–Viet Nam Railway Co. Ltd have officially signed a concession agreement for the design, construction, capital mobilisation, operation and maintenance of the Laos–Viet Nam railway project, covering the section from Thakhek town in Khammouane province, central Laos, to the Mu Gia border area in Viet Nam's former Quang Binh province (now Quang Tri).

A memorandum of understanding on promoting cooperation between the veterans’ associations of Ho Chi Minh City and Laos’ Champasak province for the 2026-2030 period was signed at a meeting between their leaders in the southern metropolis on the afternoon of April 1.

Construction of the Da Nang–Sekong Friendship Hospital was launched on April 1 in Sekong province, southern Laos, highlighting growing cooperation between localities of the two countries.

Ha Noi has put into operation 10 electric bus routes with a total of 288 vehicles from April 1, marking a significant step in the capital city’s roadmap to develop greener public transport.

A delegation from Viet Nam’s Military Region 7, led by Lieutenant General Le Xuan The, Commander of Military Region 7, paid a visit and extended New Year greetings to Military Region 1 of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, on the occasion of Cambodian people’s New Year celebration, the traditional Chol Chnam Thmay Festival.

The Ministry of Education and Training has released a draft decree proposing free textbooks for students nationwide starting from the 2029–2030 academic year.

With the aim of fostering an entrepreneurial culture within educational institutions, building a substantive start-up environment in schools, and placing learners at the centre of innovation activities, on February 25, 2026, Deputy Prime Minister Le Thanh Long signed Decision No. 336/QD-TTg approving the programme “Supporting pupils and students in entrepreneurship for the 2026–2035 Period”.

The project on “Building Hue into a Smart Cultural and Tourism City”, funded by KOICA, is entering a crucial phase, with many key components gradually taking shape.

A project supporting the comprehensive development of disadvantaged children in educational institutions was launched at a ceremony in Tan Loc ward, the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho, on March 31.

The first session of the 17th Ha Noi People’s Council for the 2026–2031 term marked a pivotal milestone, ushering in a new phase of development for the capital.

Viet Nam is facing a significant shortage of semiconductor engineers as the industry expands rapidly, requiring stronger linkages between education, businesses, and international partners to develop its workforce.

Recent geopolitical developments, particularly the Russia–Ukraine conflict and the Israel–US–Iran confrontation, have clearly demonstrated the trend of “weaponising energy”, where oil and gas supplies are influenced not only by market rules but also by power calculations and regional disputes.

Representatives of the International Committee and national committees for the Viet Nam Friendship Village signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on March 31, agreeing on a range of key areas of cooperation aimed at improving care, rehabilitation and support for victims of Agent Orange/dioxin during the 2026–2027 period.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 31 presided over a ceremony to announce the appointment of Bui The Duy as Director of the Viet Nam National University (VNU), Ha Noi.

Over the years, agricultural cooperatives have affirmed their important role in promoting the rural economy. Cooperatives with young management boards are increasingly developing, creating stable livelihoods and income for local people.

In mountainous regions, where natural conditions are harsh and populations are scattered, the effectiveness of ethnic policies is measured by specific changes in people’s lives.

A China – Viet Nam youth forum themed “Inheriting the red gene” was recently held in China, bringing together representatives from the Communist Youth League of China (CYLC) Central Committee, authorities of Shijiazhuang city, and Vietnamese lecturers and students.

A workshop on gender mainstreaming in post-war mine action activities in Viet Nam was co-organised by the Viet Nam National Mine Action Centre and the United Nations Development Programme in Ha Noi on March 30.

Under the plan, Ha Noi targets that by July 1, 2026, all buses operating within Ring Road 1 will use green energy (electricity or compressed natural gas – CNG). The policy will then be expanded to Ring Road 2 by January 1, 2028, and further extended to Ring Road 3 from 2030.