Politics

☕ Afternoon briefing on March 15

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency on March 15. ​
☕ Afternoon briefing on March 15 ảnh 1
Hanoi (VNA) – The following is a brief review ofthe day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency on March 15. 

- The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee considered thesupplementation of the State budget estimate of foreign non-refundable aid(under the task of recurrent expenditure) in 2020 as well as that in 2021during its ongoing ninth session on March 15 morning.

According to a report delivered at the session,the aid worth over 1.43 trillion VND (62.4 million USD) was an arising amountin 2020 that was received by central agencies, but had not been included inassigned estimates yet. Read full story

- The Embassy of Vietnam in Russia will continue to closelyjoin hands with Russian relevant agencies to safely receive Vietnamese fleeingto Russia from eastern Ukraine, Counsellor Nguyen Tung Lam from the embassy hassaid.

About 70 Vietnamese remain in Kherson and 24families of 80 people in Mariupol of Ukraine, which are war zones, theVietnamese Embassy said on March 14. Read full story

☕ Afternoon briefing on March 15 ảnh 2An offshore wind power farm in Ca Mau. (Photo: VNA)
- The Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) has proposeddeveloping nuclear energy on a small scale post 2030 in its latest version ofthe draft Vietnam Power Development Plan from 2021 – 2030 (PDP8) with a visiontowards 2045.

The move aims to support Vietnam’s efforts toachieve zero-net emissions by 2050, as nuclear power is viewed as near-cleanenergy, according to the MoIT. Particularly after the UN Climate ChangeConference (COP26) in Scotland, many countries have recognised it as a cleansource of power since nuclear power plants produce no greenhouse gas emissionsduring operation. Read full story

- Vietnam's index of industrial production (IIP) inFebruary rose by 8.5 percent year-on-year, marking the fourth consecutivemonthly increase, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT).

The processing and manufacturing industry, whichaccounted for over 70 percent of total industrial output, still played amain driver of the growth. Read full story
☕ Afternoon briefing on March 15 ảnh 3Ha Long Bay (Photo: VNA)
-- Vietnam has officially reopened international tourismtoday – March 15. At present, the whole tourism ecosystem, from aviation,travel agents to accommodation and entertainment service providers, is ready toopen doors to welcome visitors back. Read full story

- The Vietnamese Government on March 15 issued a resolutionon visa waivers for citizens from 13 countries namely Germany, France, Italy,Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway,Finland, and Belarus.

Citizens of the above-mentioned countries willenjoy 15 days of visa-free travel in Vietnam beginning from their date ofentry regardless of the kind of passport and entry purpose, on the basis ofsatisfying all conditions as prescribed by Vietnamese law. Read full story

- Nearly 6.4 million poor and near-poor households had accessto loans from the Vietnam Bank for Social Policies (VBSP) as of December 31,2021.

Total outstanding loans reached 247.97 trillionVND (10.83 billion USD), up 9.6 percent compared to the end of 2020. Read full story

- As the export of Vietnam’s timber and wooden productsposted positive signs in the first two months of 2022, many firms areincreasing capacity to meet the schedule of orders until the end of this year’ssecond quarter.

According to the General Department of VietnamCustoms, timber and wooden exports were estimated to fetch 2.6 billion USD inthe two months, surging 15.5 percent year on year. Of the amount, shipments ofwooden products hit 2 billion USD, up 11.8 percent from the same period lastyear. Read full story
☕ Afternoon briefing on March 15 ảnh 4Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova. (Photo courtesy of Miss Universe Vietnam 2022's organiser)
- Miss Universe 2005 Natalie Glebova will be one of thejudges who will accompany and evaluate the contestants of Miss Universe Vietnam2022 along with other guests, according to the contest’s organiser.

Born in 1981, Glebova was crowned Miss Universe2005 in Bangkok, Thailand. She is the second Canadian to win this contest andis the Miss Universe with the most support from the Thai public ever./. Read full story
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General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam (R) and President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Lee Jae Myung at the press briefing (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, RoK leaders meet press in Hanoi

The Vietnamese Government will keep improving the investment climate, making it more transparent and business-friendly, while ensuring all possible support for foreign investors, including Korean firms, to do long-term business in Vietnam.

At the talks between General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam and visiting President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Lee Jae Myung in Hanoi on April 22, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Top leader holds talks with RoK President in Hanoi

The two sides highlighted the need to realise a strategic vision for economic connectivity in the evolving global context, including joint efforts to achieve bilateral trade turnover of 150 billion USD by 2030.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung speaks at the working session with the Ministry of Science and Technology in Hanoi on April 22, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

PM underscores priority funding for strategic, core technologies

Highlighting the importance of accelerating digital transformation, particularly in the digital economy, Prime Minister Le Minh Hung set targets for the sector to account for 30% of GDP and for over 40% of enterprises to engage in innovation activities.

Deputy Prime Minister Ho Quoc Dung (R) and IAEA Deputy Director General Mikhail Chudakov (Photo: VGP)

Deputy PM, IAEA official discuss nuclear power development

Vietnam speaks highly of the IAEA’s role and efforts in promoting the peaceful use of atomic energy and supporting countries in building nuclear infrastructure. Since becoming a member of IAEA, Vietnam has seen the agency as a strategic and reliable partner, with cooperation activities increasingly effective and practical.

At the signing of the minutes of the talks (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam–China border forces hold talks, confer Friendship Envoy title

Border guards of Vietnam and China pledged to strengthen information sharing on emerging issues at border gates, coordinate timely responses and enhance the effectiveness of control operations. They reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining order in immigration procedures, ensuring stable security in the Lao Cai–Hekou international border gate area, and promoting legal awareness among border residents.

☕ Afternoon briefing on April 22

☕ Afternoon briefing on April 22

The welcome ceremony for President of the RoK Lee Jae Myung and his spouse, PM Le Minh Hung's working session with the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Global Sourcing Fair Vietnam 2026 are among news highlights on April 22.

The National Assembly (NA) is scheduled to discuss a proposal to establish Dong Nai as a centrally-run city on April 22. (Photo: VNA)

NA to discuss proposal to establish centrally-run Dong Nai city

According to a Government report, Dong Nai has effectively leveraged its strategic location, historical traditions, and strengths in national defence, security, culture, and society to emerge as one of the country’s leading economic localities. The province serves as a key hub linking major development corridors and Ho Chi Minh City with the Central Highlands, the south-central coastal region, and the Mekong Delta region.

☀️ Morning digest on April 22

☀️ Morning digest on April 22

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam's working session with the standing board of the Ha Tinh Party Committee, President of the RoK Lee Jae Myung's beginning of a state visit to Vietnam, and 84% of Vietnam’s small businesses reporting growth last year are among news highlights on April 21 evening.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (R) and outgoing Mongolian Ambassador Jigjee Sereejav. (Photo: VNA)

Foreign Minister hosts outgoing Mongolian Ambassador

Affirming Vietnam’s high regard for Mongolia and their longstanding friendship, Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung called for closer coordination to further develop the Comprehensive Partnership.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (R) meets with Irish Ambassador to Vietnam Deirdre Ní Fhallúin in Hanoi on April 21. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

Vietnam, Ireland seek ways to step up bilateral cooperation

Hang proposed the two sides further strengthen political trust, increase high-level and all-level exchanges, and organise youth, student and cultural activities to mark the upcoming anniversary. The Deputy Minister also called on Ireland to soon ratify the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), which would create fresh momentum for economic cooperation.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Duong Hoai Nam speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

Foreign policy drives Vietnam’s development momentum in new era: Diplomat

The ambassador highlighted that after four decades of Doi Moi, Vietnam now ranks among the world’s 35 fastest-growing economies. The country has signed and implemented 17 free trade agreements, positioning itself as an important economic hub in the Asia-Pacific, while attracting 38.42 billion USD in registered foreign direct investment.