Outstanding domestic and international events on March 8

DOMESTIC

On the morning of March 8, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with female heroes of the People's Armed Forces, female heroes of labor, female generals, female scientists and the 40th anniversary of the Kovalevskaia Award and the award ceremony in 2024. In the afternoon of the same day, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a Government meeting to assess the regional and global economic situation to promote double-digit growth.In the picture:Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh with female heroes of the People's Armed Forces, female labor heroes, female generals, and female scientists.Photo: Duong Giang - VNA

Within the framework of the National Program on Energy Saving and Efficiency for the period 2019 - 2030. On March 8, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Industry and Trade organized the Run in response to the National Energy Saving Campaign in response to Earth Hour 2025". The race was attended by more than 1,000 people, including officials from central and local agencies.In the picture:Athletes receive awards.Photo: Tran Viet - VNA

On March 8, in Ho Chi Minh City, the 10th Vietnam - Japan Festival in Ho Chi Minh City in 2025 with the theme "Holding hands together - Until tomorrow" was solemnly opened, opening a series of rich cultural, sports, trade and tourism events, imbued with the national cultural identities of Vietnam and Japan, contributing to further strengthening the good friendship between the people of the two countries.In the picture:Delegates and guests performed the "Holding Hands" ceremony to open the Vietnam-Japan Festival in Ho Chi Minh City in 2025.Photo: Xuan Khu - VNA

On March 8, at Hoan Kiem Lake area, the opening program and parade "Ao Dai Festival - Charming Women of the People's Public Security" took place. The parade took place with the participation of 1,000 members of the Women's Public Security Associations of units and localities, delegates from inside and outside the People's Public Security force, international guests, female police officers, and police officers from several countries performing, honoring the traditional beauty of Vietnamese Ao Dai.In the picture:Members of the Women's Associations of Police units and localities perform in Ao Dai.Photo: Minh Duc - VNA

With practical actions and effective support models, in recent years, the program "Accompanying women in border areas" launched by the Central Committee of the Vietnam Women's Union, the Border Guard Command, and the An Giang Provincial Women's Union in coordination with relevant units deployed in the border areas of An Giang province has contributed to helping many women's households in border areas develop their economies and reduce poverty. Thereby, contributing to raising awareness and responsibility of the people, joining hands to firmly protect the territorial sovereignty and national border security.In the picture:Giving housewarming gifts to Mr. Truong Van Hanh's family, residing in Cay Cham hamlet, Vinh Te commune, Chau Doc city, An Giang province.Photo: Cong Mao - VNA

On March 8, Ho Chi Minh City Police said that through investigation and review, in the early morning of March 6, the Drug Crime Investigation Police Department, along with professional units and local police, arrested 3 ringleaders while transporting drugs to an apartment building to divide and hide them, seizing more than 30 kg of various drugs.In the picture:Evidence seized in a drug trafficking ring transporting and trading more than 30 kg of various drugs from Cambodia to Ho Chi Minh City.Photo: VNA

INTERNATIONAL

US President Donald Trump said on March 7 that he hoped Iran would agree to negotiate a peaceful deal over its nuclear program. In an interview with Fox Business, Trump said he had sent a letter to leaders in Tehran to see if they were willing to negotiate. He hoped the letter would avoid any military action. However, Iranian leaders have said they are not ready to resume talks with the US over Tehran's nuclear program, as Washington continues to apply "maximum pressure" on the Middle Eastern country.In the picture:US President Donald Trump speaks at the White House in Washington DC., March 6, 2025.Photo: REUTERS/TTXVN

United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on March 7 called on the international community to step up action to protect and promote the rights of women and girls on International Women's Day (March 8). Speaking at the United Nations headquarters in New York, Mr. Guterres emphasized: "We are not only celebrating International Women's Day, but also moving forward together, steadfastly pursuing equality, development and peace for all women around the world."In the picture:Female students during an exam in Dongola, Sudan.Photo: THX/TTXVN

The ruling People's Power Party (PPP) in South Korea on March 8 demanded that the prosecution immediately release President Yoon Suk-yeol, following the Seoul Central District Court's decision a day earlier to cancel his arrest warrant. Kwon Young-se, head of the PPP's emergency response committee, said that despite the court's order to immediately release the president, the prosecution has continued to detain Yoon Suk-yeol for more than 20 hours.In the picture:Kweon Seong-dong, leader of South Korea's ruling People's Power Party (PPP), speaks during an emergency meeting of party lawmakers outside the Supreme Prosecutors' Office in Seoul, March 8.Photo: YONHAP/VNA

China announced on March 8 that it would impose tariffs on Canadian agricultural and food products, in response to tariffs Ottawa has imposed since October 2024 on Chinese electric vehicles, aluminum and steel. The Chinese Ministry of Commerce said the new tariffs, which will take effect from March 20, will include a 100% tariff on canola oil, oilseed meal and soybeans and a 25% tariff on Canadian seafood and pork.In the picture:Fruit is displayed for sale at a market in Toronto, Canada, January 21, 2025.Photo: THX/TTXVN