Xinhua News Agency had an interview with Vice-president of the Vietnam Women’s Union Madame Nguyen Thi Kim Thuy about the summit 18th Global Summit of Women which is held in Hanoi, from 5-7/6/2008.

From 17th – 26th of April, the Women’s Union of Son La Province collaborated with the Political Academy to organize a refresher training on professional skill for staff of women’s unions at grass-root level for the year 2008.

Needs assessment workshop on enterprise/business development
Phu Tho WU has recently organized the needs assessment workshop on enterprise/business development for phase III of the Vietnam- Belgium credit project.

Promoting the function and capacity of the women’s union in the field of marriage and family and directing marriage advice and support activities to the management of the State, Hai Duong Women’s Union held the opening ceremony of the Center for marriage advice and support.

To: Myanmar Women’s Affairs Federation

To: The All China Women’s Federation

Thirty-six businesswomen have been granted the “Golden Rose” award for their contributions to the national socio-economic development and the business community.

The final review meeting of the 2nd phase project “Improving VWU’s capacity and developing models to support rural women to grow aquatic products” was recently organized at the Head office of VWU.

In the morning of 20 March, the Central of Vietnam Women’s Union organized the ceremony to confer the Merit Medal “For the Development of Women in Vietnam” to Dr. ThanhDam Truong and Dr. Peter Knorringa, lecturers/ consultants of the Institute of Social Studies - Netherlands (ISS).

The Chi Linh District’s Women Union in Hai Duong Province says it has helped many disadvantaged women to secure preferential bank loans over the years. The loans have helped women and their families escape poverty and lead more comfortable lives.

Donors’ meeting on 5th March 2008

In the morning of March 6th 2008, with the support of the Central Vietnam Women’s Union, Hoa Binh Provincial Women’s Union organized a ceremony to hand over 250 wheelchairs donated by the Latter-day Saint Charities (LDSC) to the local recipients

The Vietnam Women’s Union (VNWU) handed out three awards to outstanding women’s groups and seven to individuals for their contributions to society, at a grand ceremony in Hanoi on December 21.

This was the content of a meeting, jointly hosted by VWU, Vietnam Association of the Elderly (VAE) and Helpage International (HAI) on 30th Oct 2007 in Hanoi, to implement regulations in the Law on Gender Equality: “Ensuring the inclusion of gender equality in building and implementing the law.”

The 10th National Women’s Congress of the 2007-2010 tenure was formally held in National Conference Center, Hanoi, from 1st-4th October 2007 with the theme:

“Vietnamese Women in unity, creativity, equality and development, contributing to promote national renovation”

Lives of women such as Ngo Thi Hung and Nguyen Thi Du from Cat Thuong Commune, a suburban district of Ha Noi, have remarkably changed since getting support from the Ha Noi Women’s Union.

During their study tour to Vietnam from 15-23/9/2007 to learn about Vietnam’s experiences in gender equality, poverty eradication through women’s employment programs, measures and policies of combating HIV/AIDS transmission, etc., the delegation of the Committee on Quality of Life and Status of Women From North West Provincial Legislature, in South Africa, had a working visit with the VWU on 17 September. Welcoming the delegation was Ms. Pham Hoai Giang, Member of VWU’s Presidium and Head of the International Relations Department.

On the morning of 2nd October 2007, millions of Vietnamese women throughout the country directed their attention toward the Capital, where the opening of the Tenth National Women’s Congress – the Congress of “Unity, Creativity, Equality and Development” – was taking place.

The Viet Nam Women’s Union greeted its new chairwoman, Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, a member of the Party’s Central Committee, as the 10th National Women’s Congress concluded after three days.

The overseas guests – several presidents of women's unions and Vietnam Associations in foreign countries – supported the plan and expressed their gratitude for the invitation at a meeting with the Committee for Overseas Vietnamese after the congress.

Nearly 1,200 women representatives from all over the country attended the 10th National Women’s Congress in Ha Noi yesterday.

At the tenth National Women’s Congress took place in Hanoi on Tuesday, a new central committee of the Vietnam Women’s Union for the term of 2007-2012 was elected. Ms. Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, a Party Central Committee member and last term’s vice chairperson of the Women’s Union, was chosen as the new chairperson.

After three days’ sitting, the 10th National Women’s Congress accomplished the entire working programme.

Creating jobs, increasing capabilities and educating women to enhance gender equality are the main issues the Vietnam’s Women Union (VWU) will concentrate on in the future, says the newly elected VWU Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa in an interview granted to VOV.

Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, permanent Vice President in the ninth term, was elected President of the Vietnam Women's Union, as the tenth National Women's Congress concluded in Hanoi on October 4.

On October 2, the tenth National Women’s Congress is held at the time when the entire Party, armed forces and people are making great efforts to successfully implement the tenth Party Congress’s resolution so as to early lift the country out of underdevelopment.

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh on October 2 praised the heroic, unyielding and loyal qualities of Vietnamese women who have significantly contributed to the cause of national liberation.

On the afternoon of August 30, 2007, VWU coordinated with Helpage International (HAI) to give this money to representatives of three provincial Women’s Unions.

On the afternoon of 31 August, Mme. Ha Thi Khiet headed the delegation of VWU leaders and cadres to pay a working visit to the Social Policy Bank. Receiving the delegation were Mr. Ha Dan Huan, President of the Board of Directors, and Mme. Ha Thi Hanh, General Director, as well as many of the bank’s cadres.

On 4th September, the Central Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) hold a Press Conference at its head office on the Tenth National Women’s Congress to be held soon in the 1st week of October 2007.

From 26 – 29 June 2007, in the Center for Women and Development, Hanoi, Ethnics and Religions Department (the Central Union) organized training for 120 Union’s staff from 12 provinces, 86 districts in Northern mountainous areas

To enhance the capacity of VWU’s senior officers in the period of widely and deeply international integration after Vietnam has become an official member of the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Central Vietnam Women’s Union together with the Israel Embassy in Vietnam and the International Cooperation Center of the Israel Foreign Affair Department organized 2 training courses on “Leadership, Management and the Media” in Ho Chi Minh City (from 30/7 to 3/8/2007) and in Hanoi (from 6-10/8/2007).

On the occasion of 15th anniversary of TYM Fund (1992-2007), many braches have organized an wide range of ebullient and practical activities starting in Me Linh branch (Vinh Phuc province), then in Quang Xuong (Thanh Hoa ), Kim Dong (Hung Yen) and will be ending in Nghi Loc branch (Nghe An province) on August 31st.

Within the framework of the official visit to Viet Nam, in the afternoon of 31 July, the delegation of the Communist Party of Spain headed by Mr. Jose Luis Centella, member of Standing Committee, Central Secretary, Head of the Central Foreign Affairs Department visited the Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU).

The trafficking of women and children within the Greater Mekong Sub-region was at the top of the agenda at a forum in Hanoi on July 12-13.

From 7 to 10 June, the Vietnam Women’s Union organized a training seminar for more than 70 participants who are speakers from 31 Northern Provincial and Municipal Women’s Unions. Taking part in training are experts from international organizations and a number of related ministries and branches.

Bac Ninh Women’s Union has organized the review conference on 3-year conducting entrusted loan service with the Social Policy Bank for poor households and other beneficiaries in 2004-2006 phase.

In the cause of industrialization and modernization, with the goal of basically turning Vietnam into a modern and industrial country by 2020 (as mentioned in the 10th National Party’s Congress), many provinces and cities have rolled out “red carpet” for investors, forming dynamic industrial zones, bringing a break-through economic developing speed for the province.

On 21st May, 2007, Mme. Ha Thi Khiet, Chairperson of the NCFAW, President of the VWU warmly received Mme. Anne Stenhammer- State Secretary of the Kingdom of Norway. The two sides exchanged information on gender equality, especially women’s participation in politics.

After nearly 3 years working in Vietnam, the United State Ambassador, Mr. Michael W. Marine, visited the VWU for the first time. Mrs. Ha Thi Khiet, member of Central Communist Party Committee, VWU’s President, and Chairwoman of NCFAW welcomed him.

With 75% of the population living in the rural area and working in agriculture sector,

After 3 years implementing entrusted loans for poor households as signed between VWU and Social Policy Bank (SPB) in Bac Kan in 2003 – 2006 period, the total amount of all kinds of entrusted loans managed by provincial WU at all levels is over 122 billion VND, providing for 21,758 WU’s members.

In the morning of 23 April, 2007 the 4th World Congress of Rural Women with the theme “United in our diversity: Working together towards the total emancipation of rural women from poverty and hunger” was held by Ministry of Agriculture and Land Affairs of South Africa at the International Convention Centre in Durban.

On 14 March 2007, at VWU’s Head Quarter, VWU signed an Agreement on the project between Vietnam Women’s Union and Saving Banks Foundation for International Cooperation of Germany/Sparkasse Essen Bank (Germany) and CARD (Philippines)

In preparation for the 12th National Assembly Election, the Standing Committee of Dong Nai WU has worked out a plan to guide WU of all levels in the province in organizing communication activities for the 12th National Assembly Election.

This program was implemented effectively under the direction of the Women’s Union at all levels in Nam Dinh province in term 2001 – 2006. This helps to reduce the rate of poor household to 11.2% in the whole province.

In the morning April 6th 2007 the National Committee for the Advancement of Women in coordination with the Central Commission for Culture and Ideology organized Seminar on “The 12th National Assembly Election and Gender Equality”, many journalists in Hanoi and central news agencies attended.

At the end of 2003, the Hanoi City Women’s Union signed a joint document with the Social Policy Bank on conducting entrusted loan service for poor households and beneficiaries.

With the agreement of 73% deputies of National Assembly, the 11th National Assembly approved the Law on Gender Equality at its 10th Meeting which shows the interest of the highest power authority of the State on gender equality and development of women in Vietnam.

In the morning of 4th March, in the Hanoi children’s cultural Palace, the VWU together with the Hanoi City Women’s Union organized a solemn meeting and the City women’s Cultural day to celebrate 97th the International Women’s Day 8 March, the 1967th year of Hai Ba Trung’s rising and welcome the 14th Congress of the Women’s International Democratic Federation.