WHO Representative in Vietnam Kidong Park addresses the conference in Hanoi on December 4 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – A conference was held in Hanoi onDecember 4 to look back on 20 years of HIV/AIDS treatment in Vietnam.
Data show that since the first HIV case wasreported in the country in December 1990, there have been 215,661 people livingwith this virus and 103,616 deaths from HIV/AIDS.
In the first nine months of 2019, 7,779 peoplebecame newly infected with HIV, 2,984 entered the AIDS phase, and 1,428 diedfrom relevant illnesses in Vietnam. Up to 39.4 percent of the new HIV cases areaged between 16 and 29 while another 34.3 percent between 30 and 39.
Deputy Minister of Health Nguyen Quoc Cuong saidthanks to the efforts by the Government and strong support from internationalorganisations, by the end of September, Vietnam had provided antiretroviral(ARV) treatment for more than 142,000 HIV patients, rising 270 folds from 2005.Over 10,000 new patients receive this type of treatment every year.
The programme’s effectiveness has beenmaintained over years, he noted, adding that in the first nine months of thisyear, 96 percent of the patients using ARV therapy had their viral load withinthe suppression level and nearly 95 percent had the load within theundetectable level.
Vietnam is the first country in the Asia-Pacificregion to have worked to achieve the 90-90-90 targets (90 percent of peopleliving with HIV know their status; of whom 90 percent are under ARVtreatment; of whom 90 percent are virally suppressed) in 2020. It began theefforts in October 2014 with a view to ending the AIDS pandemic in 2030. Sofar, it has obtained the second target, which is 90 percent of the peoplediagnosed with HIV are under ARV treatment.
However, Cuong also admitted numerous challengesto the accomplishment of the two remaining targets, pointing out the limitedpublic awareness of ARV therapy, discrimination and self-discrimination,difficulties in accessing high-risk groups, the shortage of ARV medicinesupply, and the strong decline in foreign financial assistance.
Applauding the ARV therapy expansion in Vietnam,World Health Organisation (WHO) Representative in the country Kidong Park saidVietnam is one of the few countries in the Asia-Pacific to have a considerableexpansion of ARV coverage. It has also been creative in helping HIV carriersaccess treatment.
However, HIV/AIDS remains a major public healthissue since Vietnam still records nearly 10,000 new HIV cases and about 2,000AIDS-related deaths each year, he said, noting that without continuedattention, HIV/AIDS will be a threat to not only health but also socialstability./.
The fight against HIV/AIDS has always been a priority of Hanoi, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hong Son said at a meeting on November 29 in response to the World AIDS Day (December 1).
Civil society organisations (CSOs) had contributed much to HIV/AIDS prevention and control, but obstacles remained in their work, experts said at conference this week in Hanoi.
Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the National Committee for AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Prevention and Control Vu Duc Dam hosted a reception in Hanoi on November 29 for Director of the Joint UN Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) Regional Support Team for Asia and the Pacific Eamonn Murphy.
A ceremony was held in the northern province of Bac Giang on December 1 in response to the National Action Month against HIV/AIDS and the World AIDS Day.
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.
The total investment exceeded 319 billion VND (12.2 million USD), including over 261 billion VND from the state budget and 57.5 billion VND mobilised from businesses, organisations, and individuals.
The Mekong Delta province of Tien Giang is intensifying efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing as part of the country’s goal of having the European Commission’s “yellow card” warning lifted.
Throughout its 80-year history, the VNA has remained at the forefront of information dissemination. It has consistently delivered timely, accurate, and objective reports on both domestic and international events, serving the Party’s leadership, the State’s management, and the public’s demand for official news.
With strong support from local authorities, businesses, organisations, and residents, the province has successfully built or repaired 10,707 homes for disadvantaged households, including war veterans, families of martyrs, ethnic minority people, and low-income residents.
Throughout its resistance against colonialists and imperialists, Vietnam developed a revolutionary press that has served as a benchmark for just and legitimate causes worldwide.
Founded in 1842, the Vienna Philharmonic is regarded as a cultural ambassador of Austria, with prestigious conductors like Mahler and Karajan who shape its legacy. Its New Year’s Concert, broadcast to over 90 countries annually, stands as a global symbol of classical music excellence.
WHO Representative in Vietnam Kidong Park addresses the conference in Hanoi on December 4 (Photo: VNA) 
