Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, expressed her emotion at seeing the children’s optimism despite difficult circumstances, noting that both Vietnam and the Philippines place children at the centre of their development policies, from education, health care to child protection.

Vietnam has made measurable strides in school nutrition over the recent years. The legal framework has gradually been refined, the average height of Vietnamese youth has improved markedly, and school meal models now reach preschools and primary schools nationwide.

Since 2009, the State President has granted amnesty on 12 occasions, resulting in the early release of more than 120,000 prisoners. Most beneficiaries have successfully reintegrated into their communities, secured stable livelihoods, and led law-abiding lives. Many have gone on to become successful entrepreneurs or actively contributed to social activities in their localities.

Addressing the event, Venerable Thich Minh Quang, abbot of Phat Tich Pagoda, said Vesak not only meets the spiritual needs of the Vietnamese community in Laos but also contributes to promoting people-to-people exchanges and deepening the special friendship between the two neighbouring countries.

As digital transformation and global integration reshape the information landscape, Vietnam’s press sector continues to solidify its role as a key channel connecting the Party, State and people while providing comprehensive coverage of social life. The sector’s evolution reflects the country’s efforts to advance press freedom in line with its development goals and national circumstances.

The 2026 Southeast Asian Friendship Initiative (SFI) programme enabled students to experience Vietnamese culture first-hand through a course on Vietnamese history combined with a 10-day educational tour from northern to southern Vietnam.

Associate Professor Dr Luu Anh Tuan said bilateral cooperation in developing high-quality human resources still holds considerable untapped potential and should be promoted through flexible mechanisms tailored to practical needs.

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu expressed confidence that the establishment will serve as a strong spiritual anchor for Vietnamese people living in Japan while contributing to friendship and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Among the 9,950 inmates granted amnesty are 133 prisoners linked to cases monitored by the Central Steering Committee for Prevention and Control of Corruption, Wastefulness, and Negative Phenomena. The list also includes 63 foreign nationals, comprising 56 men and seven women.

Vietnam is committed to building a transparent and healthy business and investment environment, promoting innovation and fully implementing its international commitments.

Vietnam is stepping up international cooperation on ageing-related issues and requested UNFPA’s continued support through technical expertise, international experience and policy recommendations in areas such as population ageing, long-term care, the care economy, the silver economy and promoting the role of older persons in society.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sisanga Keodouangdy, Vice President of the Sekong provincial Administration Committee and head of the province’s Special Task Committee, expressed profound gratitude to the Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who made great sacrifices for the independence and freedom of both nations and for the noble international mission.

The assistance was provided through a programme jointly organised by the standing board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Dak Lak province and the Buddhist Compassion Relief Tzu Chi Foundation (Taiwan, China).

Cyberspace now runs through children’s learning, entertainment, and daily lives, but warned it is laced with dangerous content, online insults, threats, and seemingly harmless clicks that can trigger fraud, data breaches, and risks children who are not yet equipped to handle.

Cambodia’s General Department of Immigration under the Ministry of Interior deported the group for violations of regulations related to immigration, labour and residency.

The Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organisation Regional Centre for Higher Education and Development (SEAMEO RIHED) published and shared VNU-HCM’s Regulation on Education Quality Assurance on its website on May 22.

Comprehensive human development today encompasses not only knowledge, physical health and morality, but also skills, adaptability and development continuity.

A scholar has stressed the need for Vietnam to make use of cooperation opportunities arising from the RoK’s foreign policy, particularly in semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence (AI), supply chains, digital transformation, and green energy, as well as chances in multilateral diplomacy.

Addressing the forum, Chairman of the Gia Lai People’s Committee Pham Anh Tuan said the hosting of the forum offers the local education sector an opportunity to exchange experiences, access advanced educational methods, and expand ties with international partners within the Francophone community, as well as with reputable educational and research organisations.

In the initial phase, it will target those with physical disabilities and hearing impairments, helping them access occupations suited to their abilities while equipping them with soft skills, professional attitudes and direct exposure to companies during training.