The average IELTS score for Vietnamese test-takers dropped to 6.2 in the 2023-2024 period, falling in the global rankings compared to previous years. The co-organizers of the IELTS exam recently released global data for the 2023-2024 period. For the Academic IELTS exam, Vietnam's average score was 6.2, ranking 29th out of 39 countries and territories surveyed. Among the 39 countries and territories surveyed, Malaysia and Spain led with the highest average IELTS scores of 7.1, followed by Italy with an average score of 7.0. Vietnam’s average score of 6.2 was higher than those of China and Japan, which both averaged 5.9.

Thu VânHÀ NỘI — When the soldiers of Regiment 98, Division 316, arrived at Làng Nủ Village by midday on September 11, they were met with utter devastation. The night before, at 11pm on September 10, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyễn Ngọc Ba, Commander of Regiment 98, received a call. Trần Minh Thảo, a soldier of Regiment 98, said: “The locals were there, weeping and pleading for help. "I have participated in many search and rescue operations, but the tragedy at Làng Nủ Village was the most devastating I have ever witnessed," he said. The Secretary of the Bảo Yên District Party Committee handed them a national flag bearing the inscription "LÀNG NỦ 10-24/9/2024."

At a glanceVietnam, officially the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, is a country in Southeast Asia and the easternmost country on the Indochinese Peninsula. With a population of 96.2 million, Vietnam was the world’s 15th most populous country in 2019, according to the General Statistics Office of Vietnam. Vietnam shares land borders with China to the north, and Laos and Cambodia to the west. The capital of Vietnam is Hanoi, located in the north, while the most populous city and commercial hub is Ho Chi Minh City in the south. The official language of the country is Vietnamese, while people also speak ethnic minority languages and English as a foreign language.

HÀ NỘI – The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, in coordination with the Office of the ASEAN Senior Officials on the Environment (ASOEN) in Việt Nam and relevant units, held a ceremony on October 14 to launch the ASEAN Eco-Schools Việt Nam Award 2024. The ASEAN Eco-Schools Award is one of the activities under the framework of the ASOEN assigned to each country to organise. The winning schools will be honoured on the sidelines of the ASOEN Conference or the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment. The first ASEAN Eco-Schools Award was held in Malaysia in July 2012. Speaking at the launch ceremony, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Lê Công Thành emphasised that students play an especially important role in environmental protection.

VNA Deputy General Director Nguyen Thi Su (centre) at the 6th World Media Summit (WMS). (Photo: VNA)Beijing (VNA) – A delegation of the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) led by Deputy General Director Nguyen Thi Su attended the 6th World Media Summit (WMS), which opened on October 14 in Urumqi, the capital city of northwest China's Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region. Themed "Artificial Intelligence and Media Transformation," the summit gathered over 500 participants from 106 countries and regions, including representatives of 208 mainstream media outlets, government agencies and international organisations. (Photo: VNA)On the sidelines of the summit, Su met with Vice President of Xinhua News Agency Yuan Bingzhong. She appreciated Xinhua for organising the summit, saying its theme is useful for press agencies in the development trend of modern journalism today.

SINGAPORE The Vietnamese Student Association in Singapore held its first-ever “V-Challenge 2024: Intellectual Arena” at Curtin University, drawing a large number of Vietnamese students in the country. Over 40 Vietnamese students from various educational institutions participated in the competition, which consisted of four rounds with diverse questions. The students said they found the event both challenging and rewarding, offering an opportunity to connect with their peers and deepen their understanding of the home land. Alongside the competition, there were entertainment booths, featuring bracelet crafting and knitting, and a lucky draw with prizes from organisers. Earlier, the association launched a week-long fundraising campaign in support of Typhoon Yagi victims at home.

Vietnam, China hold 23rd youth friendship meetingThe 23rd Vietnam - China youth friendship meeting kicked off in Nanning city, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China, on October 14. The two sides also announced that a bilateral youth exchange will be organised on the occasion of the Year of Vietnam - China Humanistic Exchange 2025. Chairman of the association Gilbert Tenèze told the Vietnam News Agency that the Vietnam Day, initially held to support Tran To Nga and many other AO/Dioxin victims in Vietnam, evolved into the Vietnam Culture Day, aiming at popularising the Vietnamese history, culture, land and people. The official suggested enhancing delegation exchanges between PSUV and the Communist Party of Vietnam, as well as localities of the two countries. Man warmly welcomed and spoke highly of Li's first official visit to Vietnam in his capacity as the Premier, which is also the first Vietnam visit by a Chinese premier over the past 11 years.

HCM CITY — Over the past four years, a small corner of HCM City has been filled with green trees, books, environmentally friendly items and has become a stopover for people who love green living. The house, which now has 36 members, has morphed into a social organisation, aiming to promote a green, sustainable and environmentally friendly lifestyle. In addition to recycled waste, old clothes are also one of the products that the community often brings to the house. I heard that the house also collects old clothes, next time I will definitely bring some." The House with Many Leaves also raises funds to open libraries for children in many other provinces and cities.

As many as 2,500 police officers showcased their strength, martial arts expertise, and survival skills at the Health for National Security Festival held in Da Lat City, located in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, on Sunday. The opening ceremony for the ninth Health for National Security Festival and the sixth People Security Forces’ regulations, military, and martial arts competition brought together officers from 20 cities and provinces in southern Vietnam. The fire scenario at the opening ceremony for the Health for National Security Festival held in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam, October 13, 2024. / Tuoi TrePolice officers demonstrate how to approach a target at the opening ceremony for the Health for National Security Festival held in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam, October 13, 2024. / Tuoi TreThe opening ceremony for the Health for National Security Festival attracts crowds of residents in Da Lat City, Lam Dong Province, Vietnam, October 13, 2024 .

While further details about its upcoming 5G network rollout remain unknown, Viettel has already allowed users to register for the first 5G plans through some internal channels. The 5G network offers speeds significantly faster than 4G, with theoretical speeds reaching up to 10Gbps. Users can choose a 5G data-only plan or a combo that includes voice calls, data, and other free 5G services. As for VinaPhone, another major Vietnamese mobile network operator, it is offering free 5G trials to customers in 5G-covered areas. 5G technology is expected to unlock new services like smart cars, AI-driven features, and seamless online experiences.

HÀ NỘI - Nearly 300 delegates, including educational managers, students and representatives of UN agencies, gathered at an event in Vĩnh Long on October 12, which focused on promoting gender equality and girls’ rights in Việt Nam. Organised by UN Women and UNESCO with the collaboration of the provincial Department of Education and Training, the event aimed to promote gender equality and empower girls in education. Students joined in a special "Beijing 30 Bus Tour" which recognised Việt Nam’s progress in gender equality in implementing the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action over the past 30 years. UN Women Representative Caroline Nyamayemombe emphasised the importance of equipping girls with STEM skills for success in the fast-evolving digital and green economy. Through the event, the organisers expected to enhance awareness of the importance of investment in education for girls and honour the contributions of educators in supporting girls' comprehensive development.

A glimpse of the Mang Den night street in Mang Den Town, Kon Tum Province, Vietnam. Hence, the newly-opened Mang Den night street will allow tourists to explore and enjoy the area at night, while giving locals a platform to promote their unique products and generate more income. A bird’s-eye view of the Mang Den night street in Kon Tum Province, Vietnam. Photo: Ha NguyenEco-friendly bamboo and rattan stalls at the Mang Den night street in Kon Tum Province, Vietnam. Photo: Ha NguyenTourists relax at a cafe on the Mang Den night street in Kon Tum Province, Vietnam.

An image of a snub-nosed monkey by photographer Chung Van Thanh, a resident of Ha Giang Province in northern Vietnam, has been named the winner of the Wild Birds and Mammals of Vietnam 2024 photography competition. "The snub-nosed monkey is one of the symbolic wild and rare species in Vietnam’s conservation efforts," Bao said. A photo of two red-winged laughingthrushes secures the second prize at the Wild Birds and Mammals of Vietnam 2024 photography competition. An image of a black-winged stilt and a painted-snipe is the runner-up at the Wild Birds and Mammals of Vietnam 2024 photography competition. An image of two pied kingfishers by Pham Trung Kien is one of the three photos winning the third prize at the Wild Birds and Mammals of Vietnam 2024 photography competition.

Tourists who visit Mui Ca Mau National Park are treated to a stunning fresh-air mangrove forest ecosystem which spans 20,000 hectares. Tourists take a speedboat through the spectacular forests at Mui Ca Mau (Ca Mau Cape) National Park. A tour through forests in Mui Ca Mau (Ca Mau Cape) National Park attracts throngs of tourists. A visitor sits on a boat watching the sunset at Mui Ca Mau (Ca Mau Cape) National Park in Ca Mau Province, southern Vietnam. Photo: Thanh Huyen / Tuoi TreTourists catch clams at a floodplain of Mui Ca Mau (Ca Mau Cape) National Park in Ca Mau Province, southern Vietnam.

Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has set out a series of proposals at the second Asia Zero-Emission Community (AZEC) Leaders’ Meeting in Laos, while urging countries to take more drastic actions toward achieving net-zero emissions across Asia soon. He proposed that AZEC member countries accelerate research, development, and transfer of new-generation energy technologies to help minimize greenhouse gas emissions in all economic sectors. AZEC countries should strengthen policy coordination through the ‘Asia Zero Emissions Center’ and enhance cooperation in training high-quality human resources and smart governance for the green and energy technology sector in every country, Chinh suggested. The meeting wrapped up by adopting the AZEC Leaders’ Joint Statement as a foundation for member countries to proceed with cooperation activities. As a platform for cooperation towards carbon neutrality/net-zero emissions in Asia, AZEC currently has 11 partner countries, including Australia, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam.