☕ Afternoon briefing on April 21

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

☕ Afternoon briefing on April 21

Hanoi (VNA) - The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.

- Party General Secretary To Lam chaired a meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on April 21 with revolutionary veterans, individuals who rendered service to the nation, and exemplary policy beneficiaries in the southern region, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - 2025).

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Party General Secretary To Lam (fourth from left, first row) poses for a photo with delegates. (Photo: VNA)

Addressing the event, Lam hailed the Vietnamese soldiers for overcoming countless hardships, dangers, and challenges to write the golden pages of the nation's prolonged resistance war, creating the "Vietnamese standing posture" in the flow of history. During the difficult years of war, driven by their deep patriotism, courageous spirit, and steadfast determination, they rose above all losses and sacrifices, contributing significantly to the victory of the Vietnamese revolution. Read full story

- President Luong Cuong will pay a state visit to Laos from April 24 to 25, 2025, according to an announcement of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The visit will be made at the invitation of General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has assured voters representing young entrepreneurs, women’s business associations, and outstanding enterprises in the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho that the Vietnamese Party and State remain steadfast in supporting and protecting the legitimate rights and interests of businesses.

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PM Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

His remarks came ahead of the 15th National Assembly’s 9th session, set to be the term's most significant and document-heavy. Read full story

- Vietnam’s grand celebration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the south and national reunification helps the nation usher in a new era ahead of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), said former chief representative of China’s Xinhua News Agency in Hanoi Ling Dequan.

The event also reinforces solidarity and motivation in achieving its goals set for the centenaries of the Party's and nation’s founding, Ling told a Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondent in Beijing. Read full story

- A wide range of US agricultural products will soon enter the Vietnamese market at more competitive prices, following a significant reduction in import tariffs which took effect on March 31, 2025.

Under Decree No. 73/2025/ND-CP, issued by the Government, Vietnam lowered import duties on various essential goods, mainly agricultural products, automobiles, and input materials for key industries. Read full story

- Vietnamese electric vehicle (EV) maker VinFast Auto announced on April 21 that it handed over 400 units of VF 3 model to Indonesian dealers and customers in just two months after its launch.

This milestone not only affirms VinFast's superior production capacity and process optimisation capabilities but also demonstrates the strong appeal of the VinFast VF 3 to consumers in Indonesia and the wider region./. Read full story

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Thammasak Sethaudom, Chairman and CEO of SCG. (Photo: VNA)

PM hosts leaders of seven Thai leading corporations

In the spirit of “harmonious benefits and shared risks”, the Vietnamese Government will always accompany and create a favourable investment environment for Thai businesses to operate successfully in Vietnam.

Vietnamese President Luong Cuong (right) receives Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Hanoi on May 16. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese President welcomes Thai Prime Minister

President Luong Cuong described the resumption of the Joint Cabinet Retreat between the two countries’ PMs after a nearly-nine-year hiatus as a demonstration of both sides’ resolve to foster extensive, substantive, and effective cooperation.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (front, third from left) and his Thai counterpart Paetongtarn Shinawatra (front, second from left) at the business forum in Hanoi on May 16. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Thai PMs co-chair business forum in Hanoi

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam is actively addressing obstacles faced by Thai enterprises related to taxes, electricity, digital payments, administrative procedures, and capital access.

CPV General Secretary To Lam (right) receives Prime Minister of Thailand and leader of the Pheu Thai Party Paetongtarn Shinawatra in Hanoi on May 16. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese Party leader receives Thai Prime Minister

The upgrade of Vietnam - Thailand ties to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is a historic milestone heralding a new chapter of the two countries’ relations and meeting their development demand in the new period, said Party General Secretary To Lam.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria and Senegal Tran Quoc Khanh (centre) in a group photo at a recent annual Ambassador's Vovinam Cup held in Senegal. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Senegal enhance cooperation across key sectors

In the first four months of 2025, Vietnam’s exports to Senegal stood at 43.43 million USD, nearly equalling the total for 2024 (43.91 million USD). Vietnam mainly exports rice, pepper, agricultural products, and components, while its imports from Senegal include raw cashew nuts, fishmeal, seafood, and cotton.

Professor Archana Upadhyay from the School of International Studies at Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India. (Photo:VNA)

Potential to promote Vietnam – Nepal trade

The Vietnam-Nepal relationship is primarily centred on religion, education, people-to-people exchange, business, trade, and investment, Upadhyay said, noting people-to-people diplomacy forms the foundation of this relationship.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) and Thailand's Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra inspect the guard of honour in Hanoi on May 16. (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister hosts welcome ceremony for Thai counterpart

This is the first visit to Vietnam by PM Paetongtarn since she took office, and also the first by a Thai Government leader in 11 years. Additionally, it marks the first joint cabinet meeting between the two countries’ prime ministers in 10 years.

The UN Day of Vesak celebration held at the UN headquarters in New York on May 14 (local time). (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam endorses widespread compassion, harmony, tolerance: ambassador

Vietnam has successfully hosted the 2025 UN Day of Vesak Celebrations, drawing Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers from numerous countries. Giang noted that this year’s event coincided with Vietnam’s 50th anniversary of national reunification and forthcoming 80th National Day.