☕ Afternoon briefing on April 4

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on April 4

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

- State President Luong Cuong held talks with visiting Burundian counterpart Evariste Ndayishimiye in Hanoi on April 4, during which the two leaders sought ways to further promote friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

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An overview of the talks between State President Luong Cuong and his Burundian counterpart Evariste Ndayishimiye in Hanoi on April 4 (Photo: VNA)

Welcoming the first official visit by President Ndayishimiye, President Cuong highlighted the significance of the visit, which coincides with the celebrations of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Burundi diplomatic relations (April 16, 1975-2025), the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975-2025), and the 80th anniversary of the National Day of Vietnam (September 2, 1945-2025). Read full story

- State President Luong Cuong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh on April 4 led high-level delegations from the Vietnamese State, Government, and NA to a memorial service in honour of Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and former President of Laos.

Following the tribute-paying ceremony at the Lao Embassy in Hanoi, President Cuong shared in the condolence book his deep sadness over the passing of Khamtay Siphandone, an outstanding leader of the Lao people and a steadfast revolutionary who dedicated his whole life to the cause of national independence, the happiness of the people, and the country’s prosperity. Read full story

- General Secretary of the National Assembly (NA) and Chairman of the NA Office Le Quang Tung held a working session with his Armenian counterpart Davit Arakelyan in Yerevan on April 3 (local time), as part of NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s ongoing official visit to Armenia.

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General Secretary of the National Assembly (NA) and Chairman of the NA Office Le Quang Tung holds a working session with his Armenian counterpart Davit Arakelyan in Yerevan on April 3. (Photo: VNA)

Arakelyan said the partnership between the two NA offices holds an important role within the framework of the strong friendship and cooperation between the two countries and their parliaments. Read full story

- Vietnam regrets the US’ decision to impose a reciprocal tariff of 46% on Vietnamese exports to its market, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang said on April 4.

Hang was speaking in response to reporters’ question regarding Vietnam’s reaction to the Trump administration’s announcement of the reciprocal tariff on imports from Vietnam. Read full story

- Ho Chi Minh City’s gross regional domestic product (GRDP) expanded 7.51% in the first quarter compared to the same period last year, the fastest pace for Q1 since 2020, heard a recent meeting held by the municipal People's Committee.

Le Thi Huynh Mai, Director of the municipal Department of Finance, reported that the GRDP reached 457.617 trillion VND (over 17.7 billion USD) during the period. By sector, industry grew by 5.7% while services increased 8.72%. Read full story

- Vietnam have moved up five places to 109th in the FIFA rankings for April, the Vietnam Football Federation (VFF) said on April 3.

This improvement is mainly thanks to the accumulated points from the wins over Cambodia in FIFA Days friendlies and Laos in 2027 Asian Cup qualifiers, along with important victories at the end of 2024, especially against Thailand in ASEAN Cup finals. Read full story./.

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Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam (R) and Thongly Sisoulith, member of the Lao Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union at a photo exhibition held as part of the ceremony marking he 95th anniversary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union in Vientiane on March 25. (Photo: VNA)

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Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu pays a New Year visit to the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (Photo: VNA)

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