A highlight of this year’s celebration in Vietnam was the 2017 Kovalevskaya Award ceremony on Tuesday in Hanoi. Two outstanding female scientists were honoured, Assoc. Prof. Dr Tran Van Khanh, Deputy Director of Hanoi Medical University’s Center for Gene Protein Research, and Assoc. Prof. Dr Dinh Thi Bich Lan of Hue University.

The Vietnam Women’s Union and the Border Defense Command launched a program called “Accompanying women living in border areas in the 2018-2020 period” to support mothers and wives of border soldiers stationed in 90 border communes across Vietnam.

The Can Tho Women’s Union hosted a meeting to encourage local women to create start-ups and ensure food safety and hygiene.

"The municipal women’s union will devise programs to support female entrepreneurs and start-ups by getting them connected to trade promotion networks and promoting their products to both domestic and international markets", said Diep Thi Thu Hong, Chairwoman of the Can Tho Women’s Union.

In Ho Chi Minh City, an art performance was held to mark the occasion and to honor outstanding women who have overcome prejudices and difficulties to advance their lives and careers.  

In Prague, Czech Republic, a gala night took place at the Sa Pa Trade Center to mark International Women’s Day. Vo Thi Kim Cuc, a member of the Huong Viet Women’s Club, told VOV: "Tonight’s performances are our messages to men that we have always done our best to stay beautiful and lead a meaningful life no matter how busy we are or how hard life can be for us."

Other meaningful activities have been held in Vietnam to mark the occasion, including a ceremony to mark the 70^th anniversary of the Vietnamese Women newspaper, an exhibition called “Mothers and Nature” by artist Van Duong Thanh, and the launching of of books on women and women’s rights.