☕ Afternoon briefing on December 31

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on December 31

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

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh committed to continuing to review and perfect mechanisms and policies to promote the development of agriculture, rural areas, and farmers, while chairing a dialogue with farmers on December 31.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the dialogue with farmers on December 31. (Photo: VNA)

PM Chinh briefed participants on policies to address challenges and obstacles in land planning and accumulation, and to encourage the development of concentrated raw material areas and agricultural product processing. He highlighted the importance of credit policies for agriculture, farmers, and rural areas, especially for those affected by the devastating Typhoon Yagi. Read full story

- Ho Chi Minh City kick-started its housing construction and repair programme in Can Thanh town, Can Gio district on December 31, aimed at eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses in the city by April 30 next year.

According to Ngo Thanh Son, Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Fatherland Front Committee, local authorities have identified 323 poor and near-poor households in need of housing renovation or reconstruction that will cost over 20 billion VND (785,000 USD) in total. Read full story

- Ahead of the New Year, the northern province of Hoa Binh has earned a spot on Condé Nast Traveller’s prestigious list of the 71 most beautiful destinations on the planet, joining the ranks of iconic locales such as Patagonia in Chile, the Amalfi Coast in Italy, and Yellowstone National Park in the US.

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The verdant nature of Hoa Binh (Photo: Sun Group)

Condé Nast Traveller, one of the world's most influential travel magazines, recently unveiled its top destinations for 2024. Hoa Binh is the sole Vietnamese representative on the list, described as a place boasting pristine landscapes, tranquil valleys, and a captivating indigenous culture. Read full story

- An organ and tissue donation campaign was launched in Ho Chi Minh City on December 30, calling on Vietnamese adults to register as organ donors.

The launching ceremony was held by the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the HCM City People’s Committee and the Vietnam Tissue and Organ Donation Advocacy Association. Read full story

- The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV) on December 30 issued a directive on enhancing safety protocols ahead of the Tet holiday's high travel demand.

This directive follows two major aviation disasters: one in the Republic of Korea (RoK) on December 29, resulting in 179 deaths, and another involving Azerbaijan Airlines in Kazakhstan on December 25, which claimed 38 lives. Read full story

- The Vietnam Coast Guard Region 3 Command said on December 31 that it successfully rescued five foreign fishermen in distress around 60 nautical miles to the southeast of Con Dao island, the southern province of Ba Ria – Vung Tau.

The undertaking was carried out under challenging weather conditions with strong waves and winds. Read full story

- A series of cultural activities and art performance to welcome spring imbued with unique cultural identities of Vietnam's ethnic groups will be featured in a programme at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in the outskirts of Hanoi from January 1 to 31, 2025.

The event, titled Spring comes to villages, contributes to honouring, preserving and promoting traditional cultural values of ethnic minority groups to visitors on the occasion of the New Year 2025. Read full story

- Hanoi aims to attract over 30 million tourists next year, including 7 million international visitors, according to the municipal Tourism Department.

The department said at a conference on December 30 that the city's tourism sector flourished in 2024, achieving remarkable growth. Read full story

- Various activities have been planned for the “Visit Vietnam Year – Hue 2025” hosted by the central province of Thua Thien-Hue under the theme “Hue- Ancient Capital – New Opportunity”.

Speaking at a press conference held by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the provincial People’s Committee on December 31, Chairman of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism Nguyen Trung Khanh said the event is expected to promote the values and potential of tourism in Vietnam in general and Thua Thien - Hue in particular, contributing to turning tourism into a spearhead economic sector. Read full story

- Credit growth across Vietnam's banking system is projected to reach about 16% in 2025, according to the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV).

In a document sent to financial institutions, the central bank outlined clear and transparent principles for setting credit growth targets for the year ahead. Read full story

- Vietnam's total state budget revenue for 2024 is projected to surpass 2.02 quadrillion VND (approximately 79.24 billion USD), marking an increase of 19.1% compared to the estimate, according to the Ministry of Finance.

As of December 27, state budget collection had already exceeded 1.99 quadrillion VND, reaching 117.4% of the target for the year. Of this, domestic revenue accounted for 115.2% of the estimate, that from crude oil hit 126.2%, and import-export revenue reached an impressive 134.2%./. Read full story

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Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien presents certificates of merit awarded by the Minister of National Defence to units for their contributions to the success of the 9th Vietnam-China Border Defense Friendship Exchange. (Photo: VNA)

Organisation of 9th Vietnam-China border defense friendship exchange reviewed

On behalf of the Central Military Commission and the Ministry of National Defence, Chien commended the involved agencies and units for their efforts in preparing and organising the exchange. He stressed the need to continue maintaining border exchanges with China and neighbouring countries, exploring content, forms, and methods of organisation to make future exchanges even more diverse.

The year 2025 marks 50 years since the reunification of the country (April 30, 1975 – 2025), a significant milestone in the millennia-long history of the Vietnamese nation. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam affirms national position on international arena

Professor Chu Hoang Long, Director of the Vietnam Policy Research Centre at the Australian National University, said from a nation ravaged by war and once among the poorest in the world, Vietnam has risen robustly to assert itself as a dynamic and responsible nation on the international arena.

Northern region holds decisive role in 1975 Great Spring Victory

Northern region holds decisive role in 1975 Great Spring Victory

During the resistance war against the US invaders from 1954 – 1975, the North served as the country’s major rear base, providing comprehensive political, military, economic, and moral support for the southern battlefield. During the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising, the North’s role became even more prominent, making a decisive contribution to the liberation of the South and national reunification.

☀️ Morning digest on April 25

☀️ Morning digest on April 25

State President Luong Cuong's talks with the top leader of Laos, Party General Secretary To Lam's receptions for the ambassadors of the EU and the Philippines, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' regular press conference are among news highlights on April 24 evening.

At the talks between Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong, and General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith in Vientiane on April 24. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese State President holds talks with top Lao leader

Sisoulith warmly welcomed Cuong's first visit in his new role from April 24-25, saying that the visit reflects the importance that the Vietnamese Party, State, and President himself attach to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation with Laos.

Party General Secretary To Lam (right) receives Philippine Ambassador to Vietnam Meynardo Los Banos Montealegre in Hanoi on April 24. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam treasures strategic partnership with Philippines: Party chief

Party General Secretary To Lam urged the Philippine Ambassador to focus on promoting several areas of bilateral cooperation, including enhancing political-diplomatic cooperation through facilitating high-level exchanges and contacts; boosting economic connectivity for the goal of 10 billion USD in bilateral trade; strengthening collaboration in security-defence, and maritime and oceanic matters; and promoting cooperation in other fields such as culture, sports, tourism, education and training, climate change adaptation, and disaster mitigation.

Participants at the Vietnam–Cuba youth forum. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Cuban youth work to step up bilateral friendship

Both sides affirmed the brotherhood and solidarity between the youth and people of the two countries, expressing their commitment to continuously striving to ensure that this exemplary relationship is passed down from one generation to the next.