Vietnam and Belgium reached consensus on measures to boost bilateral cooperation during the first Vietnam-Belgium political consultation at deputy foreign ministerial level in Hanoi on October 15. 

The Vietnam Red Cross Society (VRC) on October 16 decided to give emergency aid worth VND2 billion in cash and kinds to three central provinces and cities hardest hit by cyclonic storm Nari, the 11th to strike Vietnam this year. 

The Alhayat Aljadeeda daily of the Palestine on October 14 and 15 published the first two episodes of a book on the 1954 Dien Bien Phu battle, which was translated into Arabian by Palestinian Ambassador to Vietnam Saadi Salama. 

The official development assistance (ODA) received by Vietnam from 1993 to 2012 amounts to US$80 billion, the Ministry of Planning and Investment has reported.

The sixth Vietnam-India People Friendship Festival will be held in Vietnam from October 20-26 to promote understanding, friendship and cooperation between the two countries’ people.

Vietnam reaffirmed its foreign policy of peace and disarmament with highest priorities attached to nuclear disarmament and non-proliferation at the general debate of the UN First Committee in New York on October 15.

As many as 2,500 people and 689 vehicles will take part in the 2013 ASEAN Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise (ARDEX-13) to be held in Vietnam on October 23.

The United Nations launched on October 14 the contest "Many Languages, One World ", asking college and university students to write an essay in one of its six official languages on the role of multilingualism in a globalised world.

Chinese Premier Li Keqiang met with Vietnamese and Chinese students in Hanoi on October 15 on the occasion of his official visit to Vietnam from October 13-15.

National Assembly Standing Committee members concluded their 22nd session in Hanoi on October 15, with a range of issues high on the agenda.