Happy Vietnam

The Thu Do (Capital) Regiment, part of Division 308 underArmy Corps 12, is a mechanised infantry regiment tasked with training,maintaining combat readiness and conducting military diplomacy. It alsoparticipates in disaster prevention and response, search and rescue, fire andforest-fire prevention, poverty reduction, new-style rural development andother assigned missions. With attention and support from leadership at alllevels, and through the dedicated efforts of its officers and soldiers, theregiment has consistently excelled in fulfilling its duties and has been one ofthe leading units in Division 308’s Emulation Movement for Determination toWin. Photo: Trong Duc – VNA

Without stable employment and ineligible for compulsory social insurance, many self-employed workers in Nghe An are proactively enrolling in voluntary social insurance to secure an income in their old age. In addition to the State’s subsidy, the province provides extra support equivalent to 30% of contributions for people from poor households, 25% for those from near-poor households and 5% for other eligible groups. Combined support from the State and the provincial budget is helping reduce contribution costs and expand workers’ access to social security. Photo: Bich Hue – VNA

Fireworks lighted up the skies over Hanoi’s West Lake, HoanKiem (Sword) Lake and Van Quan Lake on October 10 as the capital citycelebrates the 72nd anniversary of its Liberation Day (October 10, 1954-2026).VNA Photo

Marking the 72nd anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital (October 10, 1954-October 10, 2026), the area around Hoan Kiem Lake in Hanoi has attracted large numbers of local residents and visitors who come to sightsee, enjoy recreational activities and take photos. Activities held in response to the launch ceremony for the 2026 mass sports movement, together with the newly opened “Ribbon of Memories” art space, have added lively highlights to the celebrations, creating a festive atmosphere across the capital. Photo: Pham Tuan Anh – VNA

Harnessing the dynamism and creativity of youth, young people in Ninh Binh are actively participating in digital transformation and bringing modern digital technologies into all aspects of social life. From helping residents access digital services and promoting cultural heritage to supporting production and business activities and contributing to administrative reform, the younger generation is playing an important role in advancing digital transformation and creating practical benefits for the community and the province’s socio-economic development. Photo: Thuy Dung – VNA

The 31st Bay Nui Ox Racing Festival for the An Giang Television Cup 2026 kicked off at the ox racing ground in An Cu commune, near Tho Mit Pagoda on October 10, 2026. This year’s festival features 64 pairs of oxen from wards and communes with large Khmer communities across the province. Photo: Cong Mao - VNA

The Vietnam Circus Federation’s newly premiered “Son Than Thuy Quai” (Mountain God and Water Monster) blends traditional circus with 3D mapping, lighting, music and a water stage to create a fresh visual language for storytelling and bring traditional cultural values closer to contemporary audiences.

Sections of Hanoi’s Ring Road No. 2.5, including Cau Giay – Duong Dinh Nghe, Vu Pham Ham – Tran Duy Hung, Nguy Nhu Kon Tum – Nguyen Trai, and Nguyen Trai – Dam Hong, were opened to traffic on a technical basis from October 10, 2026, helping ease traffic congestion in the area. The projects are to mark the 72nd anniversary of the Liberation of the Capital Photo: Tran Viet – VNA

Hoa Lo Prison Relic Site in Hanoi is stepping up the application of information technology and digitising exhibition content to offer new ways of exploring history. Digital platforms, images, visual materials and interactive technologies enable visitors to discover stories about the site, historical figures and events at their own pace. Combining technology with on-site experiences not only makes the destination more appealing but also helps bring the value of this heritage site to a wider audience, particularly young people. Photo: Phan Phuong – VNA

The Hanoi Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Hanoi on October 9, 2026, held a conference to honour exemplary individuals and good deeds, and present the “Outstanding Citizen of the Capital” titles for 2026. Tran Duc Thang, Politburo member, Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee and head of the city’s National Assembly deputy delegation, attended the event and delivered guidance remarks. Photo: Van Diep, Pham Kien - VNA

The 2026 Traditional Mini Ngo Boat Racing Competition officially opened in Lam Tan Commune on October 8, 2026, creating a joyful and festive atmosphere to celebrate the Sene Dolta Festival of the local Khmer community and mark major holidays of the locality and the country. Photo: Trung Kien - VNA

Meritorious Artisan Dao Viet Binh, Chairman of the Kim Lan Ceramics Association and Director of Thanh Binh Ceramics Company Limited, has devoted himself to preserving and developing the traditional pottery craft of the ancient village of Kim Lan in Hanoi. He actively inspires younger generations and nurtures their love for the craft through cultural experiential activities such as “Pottery Tells Stories - Exploring Kim Lan Pottery Together”. A notable milestone in his efforts to keep the craft alive came in 2023, when two of his ceramic works, “Hung Ca Dien Bien” (Epic of Dien Bien) ceramic vat and “Cuu Long Ngu Quan Hoi” (Nine Dragons and Fish Gathering) ceramic plate, were recognised by Guinness World Records. In recognition of his contributions to traditional craftsmanship and the community, Meritorious Artisan Dao Viet Binh was honoured as an “Outstanding Citizen of the Capital” for 2026. Photo: Van Diep – VNA

In recognition of his sustained and outstanding contributions to education, training and scientific research, Associate Professor and Doctor Huynh Quyet Thang, an Excellent Teacher, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee and Deputy Director of Hanoi University of Science and Technology, has been honoured with the title “Outstanding Citizen of the Capital” for 2026. The award was granted under Decision No. 5574/QD-UBND, signed on October 6, 2026, by Vu Dai Thang, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee. This recognition is a well-deserved tribute to his intellectual contributions and quiet dedication to the sustainable development of the capital and the country. Photo: Thanh Tung - VNA

Having devoted his entire life to Vietnamese football and brought glory to the nation, Labour Hero Mai Duc Chung, former head coach of Vietnam’s national women’s football team, born in 1950, has once again been honoured with the title “Outstanding Citizen of the Capital” for 2026. Through his talent, integrity and strong sense of responsibility, the “mastermind” of Vietnamese women’s football has not only led the “diamond girls” to continental prominence but also left a lasting impression on football fans in Hanoi and across the country. Photo: Cuong Quyet - VNA

Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Tung, Hero of the People’s Armed Forces, Member of the Standing Board of the Hanoi Party Committee, Secretary of the Party Committee and Director of the Hanoi Police Department, has built his career through practical combat experience and made significant contributions to safeguarding national security, maintaining social order and safety, and developing the capital’s police force. He has directly directed the investigation and resolution of numerous particularly serious cases involving criminal activities, economic crimes, corruption, drugs, environmental offences and high-tech crime. These efforts have helped protect the lawful rights and interests of the State, organisations and the people, while strengthening the rule of law in the capital. In April 2026, Lieutenant General Nguyen Thanh Tung was awarded the title of Hero of the People’s Armed Forces by the State President. In 2026, he was included on Hanoi’s list of “Outstanding Citizens of the Capital” in recognition of his contributions to the construction, protection and development of the capital. Photo: Pham Kien - VNA

Amid the vibrant, fast-paced life of the capital, drainage workers quietly carry out their duties day and night around lakes, canals, drainage systems and public spaces to maintain the urban environment. Among these unsung workers is Pham Thanh Trung (born in 1982), an employee of the Lake Management and Maintenance Enterprise under Hanoi Drainage One Member Limited Liability Company. Alongside other “green-uniformed soldiers” of the city's drainage system, he regularly collects rubbish, cleans and dredges waterways, and maintains lake surfaces, helping keep the lakes clean, create green and refreshing spaces, and improve the city's appearance. Their work makes a practical contribution to keeping the capital green, clean and beautiful. In 2026, Pham Thanh Trung was nominated for the title of “Outstanding Citizen of the Capital”. Photo: Phan Phuong - VNA

Bui Van Kha, a member of the Farmers' Association in Dan Phuong Commune, Hanoi, started out with just three square rods of land. After more than 15 years dedicated to growing gerbera daisies, he has expanded his cultivation area to over 32 hectares, generating billions of Vietnamese dong in annual revenue and creating jobs for dozens of local workers. In 2020, he mobilised local households to establish the Dong Thap Flower Cooperative and was elected its director. The cooperative now has eight members and works with more than 20 households, providing support in capital, materials, technical expertise and product marketing. Mr. Kha received a Certificate of Merit from the Chairman of the Hanoi People's Committee in 2023 and a Certificate of Merit from the Prime Minister in 2025. In 2026, he was nominated for the titles of “Outstanding Citizen of the Capital” and “Outstanding Vietnamese Farmer in the 40 Years of Doi Moi (Renewal)”. Photo: Van Diep - VNA

In the heart of modern urban Hanoi, Ngo Quang Khai (born in 1957), Secretary of the Party Cell, Head of the Front Work Committee and Head of the Management Subcommittee for the Tran Vu Temple – Cu Linh Pagoda historical relic site in Long Bien Ward, Hanoi, has devoted considerable effort to connecting the community and preserving this sacred cultural space. In addition to his dedicated work in conserving the site's historical values, he has persistently passed traditional values on to younger generations, fostering their love for their homeland and their sense of responsibility for preserving their roots for the future. In recognition of these practical contributions, Ngo Quang Khai was nominated for the title of “Outstanding Citizen of the Capital” in 2026. Photo: Phan Phuong - VNA

With nearly a quarter of a century of dedicated service in the medical field, Associate Professor and Doctor Nguyen Quang Binh, People's Doctor and Deputy Director of the Hanoi Central Odonto-Stomatology Hospital, has made a significant mark as a leading expert in anaesthesiology and resuscitation. In addition to directly treating and saving patients, he led and participated in 15 scientific research projects between 2009 and 2026, personally supervised four doctoral candidates through to the completion of their PhD programmes and 15 students through the completion of their master's theses. He remains committed to upholding medical ethics and wholeheartedly serving the people. In 2026, Associate Professor and Doctor Nguyen Quang Binh was nominated for the title of “Outstanding Citizen of the Capital”. Photo: Pham Tuan Anh - VNA

Following the reorganisation that reduced the number of hamlets, neighbourhood groups, villages and ethnic minority villages in Nghe An from 3,797 to 2,026, the province is entering an important transition at the grassroots level. The reorganisation has not only streamlined administrative units but also created an opportunity to select a younger contingent of officials with professional qualifications, technological skills and a development-oriented mindset for the local economy. From young Party cell secretaries in the lowlands to those in mountainous villages, a new approach to governance is taking shape - one that is closer to the people, more proactive and gradually operating on digital platforms. Photo: Bich Hue - VNA