Vietnam aims to raise the number of children being taught how to swim by 40 percent by 2020 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam had been taking measures to teach children how toswim in recent years, but more than 2,000 children still died from drowningannually.
Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam made the statement at a ceremony to launch aprogramme to teach children and adults how to swim and avoid the dangers posedby water, which was organised in Hanoi, May 19.
Deputy PM Dam said that since 2016, only 1,000 out of the 50,000 schoolsnationwide had taught their students how to swim and avoid drowning.
Only 1,000 out of 11,000 communes had implemented the programme to teach morepeople how to swim and to prevent child drowning.
A report from the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs showed thatfrom 2010-15, more than 3,000 children died from drowning per year due to alack of swimming skills, poor supervision and natural disasters.
Decision 234/QD-TTg issued by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on February 5,2016 states that by 2020, the number of child deaths from drowning must be cutby at least six percent from 2015. The number of children being taught how toswim must increase by 40 percent. - VNA
A conference took place in Hanoi on November 27 to review the outcomes of a nationwide programme on safe swimming and drowning prevention for children for 2016-2020.
The Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap is looking to implement a number of child-drowning prevention programmes this year thanks to 200,000 USD in aid from the Bloomberg Philanthropies, the World Health Organisation (WHO), and the Global Health Advocacy Incubator (GHAI).
The northern mountainous province of Yen Bai is working to implement a project to bolster child drowning prevention, said Deputy Director of the provincial Department of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Nguyen Thi Thu Ha.
A campaign to encourage the community to practice swimming for drowning prevention will be launched on May 19 at the culture, information and sports centre of Hanoi’s Long Bien district, according to the organising board.
For households of people with meritorious service and relatives of fallen soldiers, the province supported the construction and renovation of 2,374 houses, achieving 100% of the set target, 342 newly built and 2,032 renovated.
Held under the theme “Pride and Aspiration”, this year's “Glory to Vietnam” programme aimed to inspire the Vietnamese people's ambition to reach new heights during the era of integration and development.
According to the Central Committee of the Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC), this year’s campaign provided long-term aid for 3,785 individuals and organisations. Support included houses, clean water systems, school meal facilities, books, and livelihood assistance, with a total value of more than 118 billion VND.
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.
Vietnam aims to raise the number of children being taught how to swim by 40 percent by 2020 (Photo: VNA) 
