New Schools Open Doors to Brighter Futures in Vietnam's Border Areas

Only days remain before students in Hue city begin the new school year. In mountainous A Luoi, a race against time is under way at the construction site of a combined primary and lower secondary ethnic boarding school, with workers rushing to complete the final works and ensure the facility is ready to welcome students in September. According to the Ministry of Education and Training, construction of 108 schools in 19 provinces and cities began in 2025. As of August 9, 51 of the 99 centrally funded schools had reached at least 80% completion, while 47 had completed 50-80% of their construction work. Thanh Hoa province has simultaneously broken ground on six multi-level boarding schools, with a total investment of about 28.08 million USD. The projects are expected to expand educational opportunities for students in border areas, narrow the education gap between mountainous and lowland areas, and help improve the quality of human resources in the country’s border regions. With its special historical significance during the war, the Pham Van Dong Farm in Lang Tra village, Son Linh commune, Quang Ngai province, is being preserved and promoted as a potential agricultural and community tourism destination. As technology transforms the way young people engage with information, innovative approaches such as virtual reality are bringing Vietnam’s history closer to new generations, helping foster national pride, gratitude and a sense of responsibility for the country’s future. This National Day holiday (September 2), residents and visitors to Hanoi can take a journey back in time through "Patriotic Tour: Touching Memories of a Bygone Era", an immersive experience recreating everyday life in the capital during the 1970s and 1980s. The Central Highland province of Dak Lak is developing the Phu Yen Geopark with a view to seeking UNESCO Global Geopark status. Beyond international recognition, the initiative aims to preserve geological, natural, cultural and historical heritage while promoting sustainable tourism, and improving local livelihoods. For many years, the campaign “Vietnamese people prioritise using Vietnamese goods” has played an important role in promoting domestic consumption and supporting local businesses. Today, alongside traditional trade fairs and distribution channels, digital platforms are creating new opportunities for Vietnamese products to increase their competitiveness. The central province of Quang Tri is entering a new phase of growth, driving up demand for electricity in production and daily life. Renewable energy is helping cut costs while adding clean, locally generated power. Rooftops across Quang Tri are turning the province’s solar and wind potential into a new driver of growth. On the morning of August 30, the second nationwide “Marching Forward with Vietnam” event took place simultaneously in all 34 centrally-run cities and provinces. Authorities in Khanh Hoa province are stepping up searches for the remains of fallen soldiers in remote forests and former revolutionary bases as part of the 500-day Campaign to Accelerate the Search, Repatriation and Identification of Fallen Soldiers’ Remains. Despite rugged terrain, harsh weather and dwindling information from historical witnesses, officers and soldiers continue to follow every clue in their efforts to bring the fallen home to rest alongside their comrades. Ho Chi Minh City is exploring outlet centres not simply as places offering discounted goods, but as part of an integrated retail, service and tourism ecosystem. The model could expand consumer space, attract visitors and boost retail growth. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam on August 29 inspected the Hoang Cau–Voi Phuc section of Ring Road No. 1 and the Hoang Quan Chi High School project in Hanoi, urging authorities to ensure timely completion and quality facilities for the new school year. From visas and residency application to electronic identification and public services, more procedures for foreign nationals in Vietnam are moving online, making them faster and more convenient. Building on these individual services, Vietnam is working towards a more connected, secure and user-friendly digital ecosystem for foreigners. As part of his working visit to the United States, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Van Thang held meetings with US senior officials on August 27-28. The meetings aimed to deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and the US and promote cooperation in economics, trade, finance and technology. As part of the Hanoi Creative Design Festival 2026, the “Xom Doai” cultural and arts space has opened in Yen Xuan commune in Hanoi. Built with collected and restored traditional architectural elements, the space offers a new way to bring heritage back into contemporary life through architecture, art and community creativity. Nearly 40 years after opening its economy to tap international resources for national development, Vietnam is shifting its focus from simply attracting more foreign investment to using it more effectively to strengthen domestic capacity, enhance competitiveness and bolster economic self-reliance, the central message of the Politburo’s Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW. Amid the fast pace of modern life, mountainous markets in Dien Bien province continue to attract visitors while preserving the distinctive culture of local ethnic communities. More than places to buy and sell everyday goods, these markets are also spaces for cultural activities, social gatherings and community interaction. They help preserve traditional identities while creating new opportunities for community-based tourism. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam and his spouse chaired a ceremony marking the 81st anniversary of Vietnam's National Day in Hanoi on August 28. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung on August 28 held phone talks with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, during which they discussed major directions to further strengthen political trust and maintain the positive momentum in bilateral relations. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung affirmed Vietnam’s highest priority is to consolidate its special solidarity with Laos, pledging closer coordination with the neighbouring country to remove obstacles and facilitate bilateral investment and business cooperation. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam attended a ceremony on August 28 to announce the National Assembly’s resolution on the establishment of Quang Ninh as a centrally governed city, during which the leader presented the first-class Labour Order to the Party organisation, authorities and people of the northern locality. A concert may last only a few hours, but the emotions it inspires can stay with audiences much longer. The 2026 national concert “The Fatherland in Our Hearts” shows how history, national i