Vu Nhi Cong

Students from the dioceses of Mỹ Tho, Phú Cường and Phan Thiết took part in the initiative undertaken by the St Joseph Major Seminary. The group attended some courses on social work theory, practice and methodology. Participants helped take care of hungry children as well as children with HIV and cancer. For Mgr Joseph Đỗ Mạnh Hùng, “We must pray for ourselves to face this huge demand.”

Vietnam wants to be the first country in Southeast Asia to provide the service. The government has granted the license to test the new networks to Viettel, a state-owned group. But despite the success, citizens do not yet enjoy freedom of communication.

Minh Mẫn, 34, was arrested in 2011 and convicted for trying to overthrow “the people’s administration” and "undermining the unity policy”. The young woman photographed protests and posted the photos online. Her mother and brother also ended up in handcuffs. In prison, the young woman was subjected to heavy physical labour and abuse, and was often placed in isolation.

Between 2012 and 2017, Vietnamese authorities rescued some 7,500 people. Móng Cái, a border town, has now become the main hub for human trafficking. Criminal organisations use "intermediaries" to trick women from tribal mountain communities. Phạm Thị Minh T., forced into prostitution at 17, tells her story.

Pastoral activities took place following local traditions over a two-day period. On 27 June, the community celebrated a solemn Mass in honour of Mary, Mother of Perpetual Help. Fr Thomas Nguyễn Văn Thượng said: "We entrust our lives into her hands".

China is preventing fishing in disputed waters. The area subject to the ban extends from 12 degrees north latitude to China’s southern provinces of Fujian and Guangdong. Meanwhile, Vietnamese fishing boats continue to be attacked and intimidated.

Since last February, at least 2.47 million pigs have died. There is no vaccine or cure for the disease, which is not transmitted to humans. On 11 June, the outbreak reached Hồ Chi Minh City. So far, the country has lost US$ 154 million. Vietnam has the seventh largest pig population in the world (30 million animals) and is the sixth producer of pork. Pork constitutes 70 per cent of the local diet.

On January 1, 2020, Vietnam will take on the rotating presidency of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The US Department of Defense defines the role of allies and partners in Washington's plan for a "free and open" region.

The seven of provinces of Vietnam that border China are seen as "the lungs of the country". Growing pollution is damaging both surface and underground water. The damage to the economy is estimated at between US$ 400 million and US$ 7 billion. China’s management of its upstream dams also raises fears.

Vietnamese consumers dump their Huawei products into the second-hand market. Google, UK-based ARM and Japan’s Panasonic halt working with the Chinese giant. Huawei wants to build the 5G network in Vietnam, but local media report that many Vietnamese are against it.

The missionary's work began in the village of Pháo Đài in 1956. He was killed by those who feared the spread of Christianity. "It is thanks to Brother Pascal Việt that the seed of the Gospel bears fruit,” said Mgr Pierre Nguyễn Văn Khảm during the baptism.

The authorities have forced about a thousand people into the streets after seizing their land in Lộc Hưng parish. More than 200 families now live in conditions of extreme poverty. The victims have bee repeatedly threated. For Bishop Oanh, "Let us continue to act as disciples of Jesus".