☕ Afternoon briefing on January 18

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
☕ Afternoon briefing on January 18 ảnh 1

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

-Speakerof the National Assembly (NA) of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Kim Jin-pyo andhis wife left Hanoi on January 18, concluding their seven-day official visit toVietnam at the invitation of NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

While in Vietnam, the RoK leader paid tribute tolate President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum; paid a courtesy call to PartyGeneral Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong; met with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh;and held talks with NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.Read full text

-Onbehalf of the Vietnamese Government, Nguyen Hong Dien, member of the PartyCentral Committee and Minister of Industry and Trade, has delivered apre-recorded congratulatory speech on the occasion of the 73rd foundinganniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties (January 18, 1950 - 2023).

In his remarks, Dien highlighted the traditionalfriendship that is “both comradeship and brotherhood” between the Vietnameseand Chinese people.Read full text

-VietnameseDeputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on January 17 joined leaders of globalenterprises in a discussion, and met with senior foreign officials as part ofhis activities at the 53rd World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos,Switzerland.

The discussion with leaders of global enterpriseswas an event WEF held specifically for Vietnam at this year’s meeting. Itattracted about 20 executives of WEF member businesses operating in such fieldsas energy, green technology, and finance - banking.Read full text

-DeputyPrime Minister Tran Hong Ha on January 17 attended, delivered speeches atimportant sessions, and had bilateral meetings, as part of his activities atthe 53rd World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos, Switzerland.

At a discussion of the Food Action Alliance, Hashared Vietnam’s experience in ensuring food security and agriculturaldevelopment, saying the country has attached special importance to agriculture,taking it an economic spearhead.Read full text

-Thepioneering role of the diplomatic sector will be carried forward in buildingand maintaining an environment of peace and stability, mobilising externalresources to serve the national development and raising the country’s positionand reputation in the international arena, Minister of Foreign Affairs BuiThanh Son has said.

This is one of the economic diplomacy focuses setfor 2023 by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in order to contribute to achievingthe socio-economic targets, the official said in an interview granted to thepress on the occasion of the Lunar New Year.Read full text

-Sharinga common approach in economic and trade policy as well as supporting aninternational rules-based order, being open, transparent and having inclusivegrowth are the main driving forces for increased engagement between Vietnam andNew Zealand in recent months, New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Tredene Dobsonhas said.

“From my perspective, I think that bodes very wellfor both countries going into 2023 and I'm pleased to see that both countriesare showing strong signs of growth – Vietnam of course especially so,” theambassador said in an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency on the occasionof the Tet (Lunar New Year) festival.Read full text

-Vietnamexpects to earn 25 billion USD from the export of wood and wooden products by2030.

The export turnover would set a record high of 18billion USD by 2023, with wood pellets and woodchips forecast to enter theone-billion USD club.

President of the Vietnam Timber & ForestProducts Association (Viforest) Do Xuan Lap said that the figure will representa growth rate of 7-9%.Read full text/.

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Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly visit the Vietnamese Embassy and meet with the staff of representative agencies and the Vietnamese community in Indonesia on March 9. (Photo: VNA)

Party chief meets Vietnamese community in Indonesia

Party General Secretary To Lam commended the Vietnamese community in Indonesia who, though smaller than in some other countries, have worked diligently, achieved business success, and made positive contributions to their host society.

President of the Malaysia – Vietnam Friendship Association Tran Thi Chang speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

2025 to be a dynamic year for Vietnam – Malaysia friendship

Activities of the Malaysia – Vietnam Friendship Association (MVFA) in 2025 carry significance as Vietnam is marking its 80th anniversary of independence and 50th anniversary of the national reunification, while the two nations are celebrating the first year of their comprehensive strategic partnership and Malaysia is taking on the ASEAN Chairmanship.

Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly leave Hanoi on March 9 morning for a state visit to Indonesia, an official visit to the ASEAN Secretariat based in the country, and an official visit to Singapore. (Photo: VNA)

Party chief leaves for visits to Indonesia, ASEAN Secretariat, Singapore

The trip underscores the importance the Vietnamese Party and State attach to relations with neighbouring countries in the region, including two key partners —Indonesia and Singapore, while highlighting Vietnam's proactive, responsible, and innovative spirit, with practical contributions toward realising ASEAN’s shared aspirations for the future.

An overview of the Government meeting to assess the regional and global economic situations (Photo: VNA)

PM stresses importance of economic cooperation in promoting growth

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested ministries, sectors, and local authorities to proactively solve existing problems related to foreign investment projects, facilitate the expansion of foreign businesses' investment and operations, and enable Vietnam to integrate more deeply into global supply chains.

An overview of the second working day at the session for defending reports on the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam remains committed to protecting PwDs’ rights

As an active member in implementing the CRPD, Vietnam hopes to receive technical support from the committee and development partners to further promote inclusive development for persons with disabilities, improve policies and legal frameworks, and build capacity for personnel in this field, said Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Nguyen Van Hoi.

ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn in the interview (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam vital piece of resilient ASEAN: Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn

Vietnam has helped elevate ASEAN’s global profile by supporting the bloc’s efforts to expand its influence in the region. With a population of around 100 million and an abundant workforce, Vietnam is an influential member of ASEAN, said ASEAN Secretary-General Dr Kao Kim Hourn.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (C) congratulates two winners of 2024 Kovalevskaia Award (Photo: VNA_

PM hails women’s contributions to society, national development

According to the Prime Minister, Vietnam is one of the countries that has achieved the Millennium Development Goal on gender equality and women's empowerment ahead of schedule. In 2024, it ranked 72nd out of 146 countries in the global gender equality index. Notably, the proportion of female deputies in Vietnam’s 2021-2026 National Assembly stands at 30.26%, a high level compared to other countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Vietnamese and Japanese delegates pose for a photo at the opening of the festival (Photo: VNA)

10th Vietnam-Japan Festival opens in HCM city

The 10th Vietnam-Japan Festival features over 100 booths, around 30 stage performances, and special activity zones, including Olympic sports events. Organisers expect the event to attract about 450,000 visitors, surpassing last year’s record of 420,000.