☕ Afternoon briefing on April 24

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on April 24

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

- Prime Minister on April 24 called on ministries, sectors and localities to take drastic and concerted actions to ensure security and order during the upcoming holiday of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification from April 30 to May 4.

In his newly-signed dispatch, the PM stressed that a wide range of important activities in celebration of this anniversary will be held across the nation, drawing the participation of foreign delegations and forces. At the same time, the Party and State are implementing reforms and restructuring the organisational apparatus, and building a two-level local administration model. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on April 23 signed a dispatch on implementing drastic, concerted and effective solutions to ensure the supply of electricity during the peak period of 2025 and the coming years.

The dispatch was sent to the Ministers of Industry and Trade, Finance, and Agriculture and Environment; the Chairpersons of People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities; and the leaders of the Vietnam Electricity (EVN), the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam), Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group (Vinacomin), and the Dong Bac Corporation. Read full story

- The Government on April 23 issued Resolution No. 106/NQ-CP that details the roadmap for implementing the North – South high-speed railway project, requesting all necessary conditions be completed to commence construction no later than December 31, 2026.

Spanning approximately 1,541 kilometres, the proposed rail line will have speeds of up to 350 kilometres per hour. Designed with a load capacity of 22.5 tonnes per axle, the project will comprise 23 passenger stations and five freight depots. Importantly, the infrastructure and equipment are intended to be dual-use, capable of supporting both civilian and national defence logistics, including cargo transport when required. Read full story

- State President Luong Cuong and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation arrived at Wattay International Airport in Vientiane on April 24 afternoon, beginning a two-way state visit to Laos at the invitation of General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President Thongloun Sisoulith.

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State President Luong Cuong is welcomed at Wattay International Airport. (Photo: VNA)

The delegation was welcomed at Wattay airport by Khemmani Pholsena, Minister and Chairwoman of the Presidential Office of Laos; Atsaphangthong Siphandone, Mayor of Vientiane capital; a Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs; Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Khamphao Ernthavanh; and several officials from the Lao Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Read full story

- President Luong Cuong received the ambassadors of Australia, the Dominican Republic, Algeria, and Angola as they came to present their credentials on April 24.

Hosting Australian Ambassador Gillian Bird, President Cuong commended the Australian Government for appointing an experienced diplomat with deep knowledge of Southeast Asia and Vietnam to assume the duty. Read full story

- State President Luong Cuong has decided to spend more than 834 billion VND (32 million USD) to present gifts to those who rendered services to the nation on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975–2025) and the 80th anniversary of the country’s establishment (September 2, 1945–2025).

Under this decision, individuals who engaged in revolutionary activities from before January 1, 1945 to the August 1945 Revolution will receive a monetary gift of 500,000 VND each. This gesture will be extended to a wide range of beneficiaries, including wounded and sick veterans, heroic Vietnamese mothers, heroes of the People's Armed Forces, and those granted the Labour Hero title during the resistance war era. Read full story

- The State and Government of Slovenia always value and wish to further develop the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, Slovenian President Natasa Pirc Musar has said.

During her reception to Vietnamese Ambassador to Slovenia Vu Le Thai Hoang following the diplomat presented his credentials to her at the Presidential Palace on April 23, she said there remains ample room for the two countries to enhance collaboration in high-tech industries, digital transformation, green growth, logistics, and labour. Read full story

- Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien held phone talks with US Trade Representative Jamieson L. Greer on April 23 evening, initiating discussions on economic and trade issues between the two countries.

The session, which was also attended by members of the Vietnamese Government's negotiation team and those at the technical level from relevant ministries and sectors, looked into the principles, scope, and roadmap for bilateral economic and trade negotiations. Read full story

- The Vietnam Fisheries Society and Kunihiro Inc., a leading Japanese oyster producer and processor, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on April 23, marking a significant step forward in the two countries' cooperation in the fisheries sector.

The signing ceremony took place at Kunihiro’s headquarters in Hiroshima prefecture, witnessed by representatives from both sides as well as relevant agencies. The Trade Office at the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan played a crucial role in facilitating the agreement. Read full story

- The Viettel Group officially commenced work on construction of its High-Tech Data Centre and R&D Complex in Tan Phu Trung Industrial Park, Cu Chi district, Ho Chi Minh City on April 23.

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Viettel breaks ground on large scale data centre in Vietnam (Photo: Viettel)

The project is set to become one of the largest data centres in Southeast Asia and the first in Vietnam to reach hyperscale capacity./. 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

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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

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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

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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

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