The typhoon is forecast to bring torrential rains to the central and Central Highlands regions between June 11 evening and June 13.

Vice President of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam Nguyen Hung Son has presented the “An Nam dai quoc hoa do” (Map of the Great Country of An Nam) to the House of European History in Brussels, Belgium. The presentation is a vivid illustration of the close relations between Vietnam and Belgium in the fields of politics, culture, and history.

Spokeswoman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang emphasised the demand that China respect Vietnam’s sovereignty while replying to reporters’ question about China’s three-month fishing ban in the East Sea, including the waters of Vietnam, on April 29.

46 years after national reunification, Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago has been given a facelift. The archipelago is covered by not only the blue of the sea but also the green of trees planted by soldiers. On the islands of Song Tu Tay, Son Ca, Nam Yet and Sinh Ton, four trees, aged more 300 years old, have been recognised as "Vietnamese Heritage Trees".

China’s organisation of consecutive military exercises in the waters to the north-northeast of Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago has violated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the archipelago, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Thi Thu Hang on August 26.

Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs Toshimitsu Motegi has voiced his concerns over China’s establishment of districts to administer the Paracel (Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago) and Spratly islands (Vietnam’s Truong Sa archipelago) in the East Sea (internationally known as the South China Sea), Japan’s Kyodo News reported.

Life of people on Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago has been improved since national liberation in 1975 thanks to efforts from both the army and people on its islands.

US Senator Jim Risch, Chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, along with three others, namely Bob Menendez, Cory Gardner and Ed Markey, on April 11 criticised the Chinese Coast Guard’s recent sinking of a Vietnamese fishing boat in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago waters in the East Sea.

Storm Podul entered the East Sea early August 28, becoming the fourth storm to move into the sea this year, according to the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Spokeswoman of the Foreign Ministry Le Thi Thu Hang responded to reporters’ questions about several issues at a regular press conference on June 20.

While operating at a location about 130 nautical miles east-northeast of Linh Con Island of Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago on June 5, a Vietnamese fishing boat coded QNa 90439TS requested urgent support since a crew member was injured and in life-threatening condition.

An exhibition was opened in the northern city of Hai Phong on April 8, giving visitors an insight into historical and legal evidence proving Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos.

Vietnam has once again demanded that China respect its sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes in response to China’s live-fire drills and construction plan in Hoang Sa.

Vietnam has demanded China pay proper compensation for damage a Chinese coast guard ship caused for some Vietnamese fishermen when they were in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago.

The beauty of Vietnam’s seas and islands is being introduced to Russians through an exhibition that began at the Hanoi-Moscow multifunctional trade centre in Moscow on November 22.

The recent activity of China putting into use observatories, that were built on structures it illegally constructed and renovated in the Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelago, seriously violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over the islands, said spokesperson for the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang on August 10 voiced Vietnam’s resolute objection to China’s recent activities in Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago and reiterated Vietnam’s sovereignty over the islands.

A low-pressure system near the Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago is likely to become a storm in the East Sea, according to the National Centre for Hydro-meteorological Forecasting.

Chinese bombers’ landing and take-off drills on an airfield in Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelago, which belongs to Vietnam but is occupied by China, are causing deep concerns and facing strong opposition from many countries regionally and globally.

China and other concerned nations should refrain from actions that further militarise the East Sea and parties need to sit down for negotiation via diplomatic channels to resolve the issue, according to an US expert.