☕ Afternoon briefing on January 14

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on January 14

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

- State President Luong Cuong paid a pre-Tet (Lunar New Year) visit to the Party Organisation, administration and residents of Kien Giang on January 14, during which he praised the Mekong Delta province’s performance in 2024 with strong progress in all fields.

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State President Luong Cuong extends Tet wishes to the armed forces based in Phu Quoc island city of Kien Giang (Photo: VNA)

In 2024, despite difficulties and challenges, the provincial Party Organisation completed and exceeded 26 out of 27 targets for the year. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on January 14 presided over an official welcome ceremony for Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin, who is making an official visit to Vietnam on January 14-15.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) and Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin review the guard of honour of the Vietnam People's Army at the official welcome ceremony. (Photo: VNA)

The trip marks PM Mishustin’s first visit to Vietnam and the first official visit by a high-ranking foreign leader to the country in 2025. Read full story

- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged the Red River Delta and Hanoi to play a pioneering role in propelling the nation into a new era of growth and prosperity while chairing the fifth conference of the Red River Delta Coordinating Council in Hanoi on January 14.

The event aimed to reflect on the council’s 2024 activities, outline its 2025 tasks, and announce the Hanoi Capital Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period with a vision to 2050. Read full story

- China attaches great importance to its relationship with Vietnam and is ready to work with the country to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen political trust, promote substantial cooperation, and solidify the foundation of public support in the bilateral relationship, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

Wang, who is member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, made the remarks during his reception for Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu in Beijing on January 14, which saw both sides expressing their delight at the positive growth of the Vietnam-China relations in the past year.

- Vietnam's fruit and vegetable sector aims to achieve 8 billion USD in export revenue in 2025, building on significant market expansion and sound growth, according to the Vietnam Fruits and Vegetables Association (VINAFRUIT).

The sector's robust performance in 2024 with export revenue of 7.1 billion USD has set a strong foundation for this target. Vietnamese produce notably strengthened its position in key markets, rising to the second place from the third in China, while recording remarkable growth of over 30% in the US and 80% in Thailand. Read full story

- In a move to bolster cultural exchange and cooperation between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK), the former head coach of the Vietnamese national football team, Park Hang-seo, has been appointed as an honorary public relations ambassador for the southwestern province of Jeollabuk.

At the formal appointment ceremony held on January 13, Jeollabuk Governor Kim Gwan-young commended Park’s significant contributions to fostering closer ties between the two nations. He said that the former coach, who embodies the resilient spirit of Jeollabuk, has left a lasting impression on the people of both countries. Read full story

- ASEAN must strengthen its global leadership on sustainability to further enhance the its community vision 2045 agenda which is expected to be finalised during Malaysia’s ASEAN chairmanship this year, according to ASEAN Secretary General Kao Kim Hourn.

In his opening address at the ASEAN Workshop on Sustainable Development (AWSD) 2025 on January 13, he said that partnerships with the UN and the alignment of ASEAN Community Vision 2045 with the UN 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development are key examples of ASEAN’s leadership./. Read full story

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Party General Secretary To Lam (right) gives a reception in Hanoi on January 14 for visiting Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin. (Photo: VNA)

Party chief receives Russian PM

Party General Secretary To Lam gave a reception in Hanoi on January 14 for visiting Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustinon.

Smoke from a wildfire on January 11, 2025 in Los Angeles, California, the US (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Condolences sent to US over deadly wildfires in Los Angeles

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on January 14 sent condolences to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken and California Governor Gavin Newsom after learning about the devastating wildfires sweeping through Los Angeles, California, since January 7.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) meets with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman meets with Russian Prime Minister

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man on January 14 met with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin, who is on an official visit to Vietnam from January 14-15.

State President Luong Cuong (right) talks to former State President Truong Tan Sang on January 14. (Photo: VNA)

State President extends Tet greetings to former leaders

State President Luong Cuong visited his predecessors Nguyen Minh Triet and Truong Tan Sang on January 14, ahead of the Lunar New Year (Tet) and the 95th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930 - 2025).

Champasak province delegation hands over the first-class Labour Order from the President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic to Quang Tri province. (Photo: VNA)

Laos honours Quang Tri province with first-class Labour Order

The central province of Quang Tri on January 14 received the first-class Labour Order from the President of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic in recognition of its contributions to the enhancement of ties with the neighbouring country and the development of Champasak province.

Vietnamese Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu (L) and Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, and Foreign Minister, at their meeting in Beijing on January 14. (Photo: VNA)

China places great importance on relationship with Vietnam: Chinese FM

China attaches great importance to its relationship with Vietnam and is ready to work with the country to maintain high-level exchanges, strengthen political trust, promote substantial cooperation, and solidify the foundation of public support in the bilateral relationship, said Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

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

Red River Delta, Hanoi urged to lead Vietnam’s ascent

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged the Red River Delta and Hanoi to play a pioneering role in propelling the nation into a new era of growth and prosperity while chairing the fifth conference of the Red River Delta Coordinating Council in Hanoi on January 14.

State President Luong Cuong extends Tet wishes to the armed forces based in Phu Quoc island city of Kien Giang (Photo: VNA)

State President praises Kien Giang for comprehensive progress

State President Luong Cuong paid a pre-Tet (Lunar New Year) visit to the Party Organisation, administration and residents of Kien Giang on January 14, during which he praised the Mekong Delta province’s performance in 2024 with strong progress in all fields.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son speaks at the press meeting in Hanoi on January 14. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam to host major multilateral events in 2025

Vietnam will take centre stage in international diplomacy this year with multiple high-profile bilateral and multilateral events, including the second ASEAN Future Forum, the fourth Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit, and the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), according to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

Participants in a group photo at the gathering between the HCM City leaders and diplomatic corps in the southern city on January 13 evening. (Photo: VNA)

HCM City leaders meet representatives of foreign diplomatic corps, organisations

The Party Committee, People’s Council, People’s Committee, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Ho Chi Minh City on January 13 hosted a New Year gathering with Consuls General and heads of international organisations, economic and cultural offices, and business associations from various countries and territories based in the southern metropolis.