Vietnam women’s marathon team currently ranks third in the South Asian region after Nguyen Thi Dong ran second at the Mumbai leg of the Standard Chartered Marathon on January 18.

The national team will be called up from May 24 and later join a training session in Japan from June 15-25 to prepare for the second qualifying round of the Asian Women's Football Championship, due to be held in July, 2009.

Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) welcomed and arranged a study tour in Vietnam for the Committee of Correspondence for Democracy and Socialism (CCDS) from December 31st 2008 to January 13th 2009.

On December, 2008 Women’s Union of Thua Thien Hue province held the seventh annual Executive Committee meeting to review the women’s movement, Women’s Union’s activities in 2008 and activities plan for 2009.

The Women’s Union of HCM also gave presents and greetings to over 2,500 families of 24 districts on the Ky Suu Tet Holiday. The cost for these presents was more than 650 million VND.

Districts including Tuy An, Tay Hoa, Dong Hoa, Song Cau, and Tuy Hoa, received fifteen outfits and other districts received ten outfits. All the clothes were donated by the Korea-Vietnam Friends Organization, worth around 23 million VND.

On the afternoon of January 5th 2009, Mrs. Pham Hoai Giang, member of the Presidium, Head of the International Relations Department, Vietnam Women’s Union, had a visit with the Ambassador of Palestine, to share deep sympathy and sorry, for the Palestinian people, women and children who were victimized by the recent tragedy from Israeli military on the provinces of the Gaza strip.

In January 21st 2009 morning, a Get-together to extend Lunar New Year greetings and to present gifts to retired cadres of VWU was held in Hanoi, at the Centre for Women and Development of Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU)

On December 12th 2008, The Central Women Cadres School organized training class on social account argument with the aim to improve the capacity and knowledge for the school’s staffs and lecturers. The class was attended by Ms. Hoang Thi Ai Nhien, Vice- President of Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) and nearly 50 participants who are VWU and school’s cadres, lecturers and researchers.

The Vietnam Union of Women should work closely with relevant ministries and agencies to effectively deploy emulation movements focusing on hunger eradication, poverty reduction, job creation, and other social activities to serve the country’s socio-economic development.

A special event to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the foundation of the international network on ageing will be held on Wednesday 19th November 2008, in London, England.

On 4thNovember, the President of Vietnam Women’s Union, Mme. Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa sent a message of compliments to Union’s staff, members and people of provinces and cities, which were stricken seriously by the last historic heavy rain and flood.

to VWU’s staffs and members and people in the Northern and Northern Central areas of Vietnam which are badly affected by the heavy rain and flood.

Press release

Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) in cooperation with United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) organized the signing ceremony “Say NO to Violence against Women” at Center for Women and Development in the morning of October 31, 2008.

(co-organized by VWU and UNIFEM on 31st October 2008 in Hanoi)

8 individuals and 3 groups having the excellent achievements in many fields of the social life will have glory to be named on October 18 at Vietnam Women Award Ceremony 2008.

President of VWU Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa in the afternoon of September 11 received Cuban Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Fredesmán Turró González who came to pay courtesies on the occasion of his return to Vietnam to resume for the second term as Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of Cuba to Vietnam.

Member of Central Committee, President of Vietnam Women’s Union Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa visited and presented families of staffs, members and women victimized by the storm # 6 in Bac Giang province on October 3, 2008.

On average, women and children in developing countries carry up to 15 kilograms of water, over more than 5 kilometres and for as long as 8 hours every day!!

In the afternoon of 25 July 2008, the central of Vietnam Women’s Union organized the 5 year Review vocational training and job introduction (2002-2007) in Ho Chi Minh City. There were nearly 200 participants who are in executive board of VWU; directors of profession training and job introduction center of VWU system and Director of Labour, invalid and social affair Department of some provinces/cities.

In two days from 29 to 30 July 2008, The central of Vietnam Women’s Union organised an Annual Conference on Health care and HIV/AIDS prevention under the chairmanship of the Vice President of VWU Madame H’Ngam Niek’dam in Ho Chi Minh City.

Recently, Quang Binh Women’s Union has organized 3 training courses on environmental sanitation, women & children health care for nearly 200 WU’s members and other women at the commune of Tan Hoa, Trung Hoa and Thuong Hoa (Minh Hoa district).

On the occasion of the 63rd celebration of the August Revolution and the Anniversary of the S.R. Vietnam, in the morning of August 28, 2008, the delegations of the VWU paid tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh and thurified at the Revolutionary Martyr Monument.

On August 28, Da Dang Women’s Union organized a workshop on “SMEs Management and Promotion” for municipal women-owned enterprises.

In the morning July 25th, 2008, the Central Vietnam Women’s Union (VWU) held a five year - review conference on trust fund performance in service of the poor households and other beneficiaries of social policy in Ho Chi Minh City. Attending the conference, were VWU’s leaders, members of the VWU’s Executive Committee, some Presidents of WU at commune level, leaders and staffs from the State Bank, the Social Policy Bank(SPB)…

Recently, the Center for Women and Development (CWD) has organized 7 days-training on consultancy skills to Women Entrepreneurs (WE) with the aim to build a team of consultants not only at central level but also in some cities/provinces, such as: Hai Duong, Nam Đinh, Yen Bai, Bac Ninh, Ha Tay, Ha Noi. This activity is within the framework of the project “Strengthening Central Women Cadres Training School towards Establishing Women’s Institute of the Vietnam Women’s Union” (VWU-WI/Nuffic project)

By the invitation of German Savings Bank Association (DSGV), VWU’s delegation headed by Mrs. Nguyen Thi Kim Thuy, Vice President of VWU paid a study visit to Germany and the Netherlands.

On 10 July 2008, the Presidium of VWU organized a workshop with the participation of leaders from CWU Departments to get inputs to the draft decrees for the implementation of Gender Equality Law (GEL) and Law on Prevention against Domestic Violence (LPDV).

From 4-5 July 2008, a mission sent by the Central of Vietnam Women’s Union (CVWU), and headed by Mrs. Hoang Thi Ai Nhien, Vice President of VWU carried out a survey on women’s situation and works of WU in Muong Bon commune, Mai Son district and Phieng Khoai commune, Yen Chau district, Son La province in order to prepare a work plan of setting up a models of implementing the Resolution of the 10th National WU’s Congress.

At the beginning of July, Ninh Binh WU conducted a review meeting on its activities in the first 6 months of 2008.

In the early July 2008, Kon Tum provincial Women’s Union and Arrapu and Se Kong provincial Women’s Unions (in Laos) signed a cooperation program in protecting the common border line of the two countries for the 2008-2011 period.

With the aim of supporting poor women to improve their lives and dealing with women-related issues, in June 2007, the Women’s Livelihood and Rights Club (LARC II) was set up in Nong Ha and Nong Thinh communes (Cho Moi district, Bac Kan province). Up to now, there are 21 clubs belongs to this project, attracting 807 members.

In accordance to decision of the Presidium of VWU on Providing guidance to selected Women’s Unions to build models of Implementing the Resolution of 10th National Women’s Congress of the VWU, the mission sent by the Central WU had a focus- discussion with leader of HoChiMinh City Women’s Union (HCMC WU) and representatives from different related sectors and branches in the city and conducted a survey on the situation and the work done by the Women’s Union on the female youth in order to set up models of mobilizing and gathering female youth into women’s unions activities.

To implement guidelines of the Central of Vietnam Women’s Union and the Cooperation Program between Ha Tinh WU and other sectors in works of communicating on prevention of drugs, prostitute and HIV/AIDS in 2008, Ha Tinh WU’s Executive Committee organized a training course to improve capacities and management skills of clubs for reporters/speakers, clubs’ management boards for preventing social evils in the province.

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.