The body of a Belarusian backpacker who went missing while swimming near Pongour Falls, a popular tourist spot in Lam Dong province, was found 7 metres deep in the water on Fe
Rescue crews are search for the missing Belarusian backpacker at Pongour Falls in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong. (Photo: VNA)
Lam Dong (VNA)ཧ – The body of a Belarusian backpacker who went missing while swimming near Pongour Falls, a popular tourist spot in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, was found 7 metres deep in the water on February 29 morning.
Bandarenka Viktar, 26, was seen walking alone toward the falls on February 28 afternoon without having paid an entrance fee, said Vi Van Hanh, deputy director of the Pongour Falls complex operator – Dat Nam Ltd. Co.
The visitor left his rucksack on the edge of the falls and walked down toward a dangerously deep pool for a swim, Hanh said. The tourist allegedly slipped and drowned shortly after entering the cold water, despite immediate rescue efforts from a group of picnic-goers from the southern province of Dong Nai.
He also noted that the victim had drunk alcohol prior to the tragedy.
Pongour Falls tourist complex is designed for sightseeing only, not adventure activities, so visitors are not provided safety gear at the entrance, Hanh explained.
The complex operator promptly started a rescue operation with local authorities after the accident was reported. However, it was difficult to access the location and due to cold weather, the victim’s body could not be recovered until the next day.
The provincial authority will soon return his body to the Consulate of Belarus in Ho Chi Minh City for further investigation.
Pongour Falls where the accident occurs. (Photo: buffalotrip.com)
The 40-metre-high Pongour Falls, also known as Bay Tang Falls, is located in Tan Thanh commune, Duc Trong district, 50 kilometres from Da Lat.-VNA
Three British tourists were reported to have died after unfortunately slipping and falling off the waterfall while visiting the Datanla tourist attraction in Da Lat resort city.
UK Ambassador to Vietnam Giles Lever has acknowledged Lam Dong province’s efforts in searching for the bodies of three British tourists who died climbing waterfalls in the locality on February 26.
A foreign tourist from Belarus slipped from a cliff into a freezing lake at the Pongour Fall tourism site in Da Lat, the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong on February 28.
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.
The strategic product, managed and operated by the Vietnam News Agency Digital Media Centre (VNA Media), is an official channel for popularising the Party and State’s information and documents as well as delivering mainstream and trustworthy news to both domestic and international audiences through various kinds of multimedia formats.
Since President Ho Chi Minh founded Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has become the voice of the people. During the resistance war against the colonialists, journalists took great personal risks to inspire patriotism and the will of rising up against foreign invaders.
Rescue crews are search for the missing Belarusian backpacker at Pongour Falls in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong. (Photo: VNA)
Pongour Falls where the accident occurs. (Photo: buffalotrip.com)
