☕ Afternoon briefing on April 11

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
☕ Afternoon briefing on April 11 ảnh 1
Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a brief reviewof the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

- National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on April 11visited China’s Shanghai Free-Trade Zone (SHFTZ) and met with leaders of themunicipal People’s Congress and administration of Shanghai as well as the zone.

Hue, now on an official visit to China, was briefedon the development and outstanding achievements of the SHFTZ, special policiesfor the zone, as well as the practical experience in applying controlled pilotmechanisms. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 11 orderedministers and heads of ministerial-level agencies to focus on accelerating thedrafting, submission, and issuance of detailed regulations and guidelines forimplementing laws and ordinances passed by the National Assembly (NA).

Chairing a monthly Government law-making sessionto discuss the draft Law on Value-Added Tax (amended) and a plan to increaserevenue sources and save regular budget spending in 2023, he applauded effortsby ministries and agencies in diligently preparing and presenting theirproposals. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a monthlyGovernment law-making session on April 11 to discuss the draft Law onValue-Added Tax (amended), and a plan to increase revenue sources and saveregular budget spending in 2023.

In his opening remarks, Chinh stressed lawbuilding and institution perfection is one of the three strategic breakthroughsand a key task identified by the Government, noting that the Government hasspent much time on building and perfecting institutions through organising 25law-making sessions. Read full story 

- Vietnamese peacekeeping forces are developing strongly,contributing to affirming Vietnam’s role in the world arena and demonstratingVietnam’s efforts and commitments to joining UN peacekeeping operations andbuilding global peace and security.

Recently, Vietnam handed decisions to sent anotherthree officers to UN Multidimensional Integrated Stabilisation Mission inthe Central African Republic (MINUSCA), UN Mission in South Sudan (UNMISS), andUN Interim Security Force for Abyei (UNISFA), raising the total number ofVietnamese peacekeeper deployed to UN missions to nearly 800. Read full story

- Vietnam is on the verge of seeing a massive influx of investmentsfrom the US, and stands ready to welcome the wave.

The Suntory PepsiCo Vietnam Beverage Companyrecently broke ground for its largest and most modern factory in the Asia Pacific region at the Huu Thanh Industrial Park in the Mekong Delta province ofLong An. Read full story

- Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang led a Vietnamesedelegation on a working visit to France from April 8 to 10 during which the twosides agreed to promote all areas of transport cooperation.

The delegation had meetings with French Ministerwith responsibility for transport Patrice Vergriete, agencies of the Ministryfor Ecological Transition and Territorial Cohesion, and representatives ofAirbus Group. Read full story

- The Vietnam International Travel Mart (VITM) 2024 themed“Vietnam Tourism – Green Transition for Sustainable Development” kicked off inHanoi on April 11, attracting 700 enterprises across the country and 16 foreigncountries and territories.

The four-day event sees more than 450 booths and expects thevisits by about 3,500 Vietnamese and international enterprises. Read full story
☕ Afternoon briefing on April 11 ảnh 2Vietnam National Brand Week 2024 contributes raise public awarness of Vietnam national brand (Photo: VNA)
- The Vietnam National Brand Week 2024 will be held nationwidefrom April 15-21 to raise public awareness of Vietnam national brand andpromote products recognised as national brands to domestic and internationalcommunities.

According to the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency(VIETTRADE) under the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT), communicationcampaigns on Vietnam Brand Day, April 20, will be launched on mass media duringthe event. Read full story

- Representatives of Vietnam presented the country’srelations with Italy and the Asia-Pacific region’s growing importance, whileattending a hearing of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the Italian Chamber ofDeputies on April 10.

Deputy Director of the Diplomatic Academy ofVietnam (DAV) Nguyen Hung Son and Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hungwere among the guests at the hearing, which focused on Italy and other Europeancountries’ vision on the Indo-Pacific. Read full story

- A special musical programme is scheduled to take place inthe northwestern province of Dien Bien on May 6 in celebration of the 70thanniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory (May 7, 1954 - 2024).

The show, to be held at May 7 Square in Dien BienPhu city, will be a national-level event directed by the Vietnam National Operaand Ballet, said Tran Ly Ly, Acting Director of the Department of PerformingArts at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, at a regular press meetingon April 11./. Read full story
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A high-ranking military delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence visits an exhibition booth (Photo: Ministry of National Defence)

Vietnam attends defence services, security exhibitions in Malaysia

This year’s exhibitions feature 15 thematic categories, highlighting modern military products such as aircraft, warships, armoured vehicles, man-portable low-range missile systems, anti-aircraft gun systems, laser weapons, as well as various types of ammunition, military uniforms, and logistics equipment serving defence purposes.

A view of the 16th National Assembly's first session (Photo: VNA)

16th NA reviews amendments to four tax-related laws on April 21

Lawmakers are expected to discuss the supplementary assessment of the implementation of the 2025 socio-economic development plan and state budget, as well as performance in the early months of 2026. They will also review the five-year socio-economic development plan for 2026–2030, thrift practices and anti-wastefulness efforts in 2025, and progress in achieving national gender equality targets. The session is broadcast live on radio and television, enabling voters and the public to follow proceedings.

The delegation of National Assembly deputies from Ho Chi Minh City holds a group discussion. (Photo: VNA)

Draft law proposes flexible tax thresholds, extended incentives for EVs

Presenting the Government’s proposal, Minister of Finance Ngo Van Tuan said the draft law proposes not to stipulate specific revenue thresholds for exemption from personal income tax or value-added tax for household and individual businesses in the law, instead assigning the Government to set these thresholds.

Deputies in a group discussion (Photo: VNA)

Lawmakers suggest groundbreaking mechanisms to revive Vietnamese culture

The draft resolution seeks to lure more investment into cultural industries, aiming for the sector to contribute 7% to GDP by 2030 and 9% by 2045. It also sets ambitious goals of ranking Vietnam among the top three countries in Southeast Asia and the global top 30 for national soft power.

NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh speaks at the 16th National Assembly (NA)’s first session on April 20 (Photo: VNA)

Pathways to double-digit growth to be tabled at 16th NA’s first session

In the morning sitting on April 20, deputies are expected to hear proposals and verification reports on a range of draft resolutions. The documents cover breakthrough mechanisms and policies for the development of Vietnamese culture; the establishment of Dong Nai as a centrally run city; a pilot framework for public lawyer institution; and special mechanisms to address land law violations committed prior to the 2024 Land Law taking effect, alongside measures to resolve long-delayed and stalled projects.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse at Istanbul Airport in Türkiye (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam a proactive, responsible partner in promoting parliamentary cooperation

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s working trip to Italy and Türkiye achieved important and comprehensive results at both bilateral and multilateral levels. It not only highlighted a proactive and responsible Vietnamese National Assembly with active and practical contributions to the IPU, but also created new momentum to deepen relations with key partners, including in Europe and the Middle East.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga at the farewell ceremony at Istanbul Airport, Türkiye. (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman wraps up successful working visit to Türkiye

With substantive activities, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man's working visit to Türkiye was a great success, contributing to affirming Vietnam’s image as a proactive and responsible partner in promoting parliamentary cooperation and strengthening multilateralism.