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 has requested that science-technology development, innovation and digital transformation must place citizens at the centre, reduce administrative procedures, and develop comprehensive digital citizenship, guided by streamlined apparatus, connected data, and smart governance.
Chairing the first meeting of the Government steering committee for the development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation, and Project No. 06 on March 18, the PM, who is also head of the committee, called for a resolute shift to proactive public services to serve the people and enterprises. Read full story
- Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has requested ministries, agencies, and localities to consider wastefulness prevention and control as a shared task of the entire political system, which requires their responsible participation and contributions.
In a recently-signed directive on intensifying the fight against wastefulness, unlocking resources and promoting economic growth, PM Chinh affirmed that under the leadership of the Party, the close supervision of the National Assembly, and the decisive, timely, and close direction and management of the Government, the combat has achieved important results, contributing to the fulfillment and exceeding of most socio-economic development goals and targets over the past terms, even in the context of unprecedented challenges such as pandemics and natural disasters. This has led to the effective mobilisation, management, and use of human, material, and financial resources, ensuring national defence, security, foreign relations, and social welfare. Read full story
- Vietnam is set to rank among the world’s 30 fastest-growing economies in both trade-growth speed and absolute volume increase by 2030, according to a forecast by German logistics provider DHL.
The Business Times cited DHL’s latest report as saying that Southeast Asian countries are set for accelerated trade growth over the next five years, with Vietnam, Indonesia, and the Philippines expected to rank among the world’s 30 fastest-growing economies in both trade-growth speed and absolute volume increase by 2030. Read full story
- Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh have engaged in a series of activities as part of his working visit to the UK from March 16-20, aiming to call for assistance in the building of financial centres in Vietnam.
On March 16, he met with the Vietnamese Intellectual Society in the UK and Ireland (VIS), which brings together nearly 200 scientists, researchers, and lecturers from universities and research institutes across the two European countries, along with the Vietnamese Embassy and other representative agencies. Read full story
- Among imported rice in Japan, Vietnamese rice has been gaining attention from consumers due to its similarities to Japanese rice.
Takashi Takanashi, head of the Spice House Co., a company based in Sagamihara, Kanagawa Prefecture, specialising in wholesale imported food for restaurants and retailers, said his company is receiving increasing requests for Vietnamese rice, he said. Read full story
- Filum AI, Vietnam's customer experience management (CXM) platform using AI, has successfully raised 1 million USD in funding from leading regional investment funds and strategic investors, signaling strong confidence in its potential.
Filum AI announced on March 18 that it had secured funding from regional prestigious investment funds, including Nextrans, VinVentures, and TheVentures, as well as strategic investors: Hung Tran (founder of Got It and AIforVietnam.org), Tran Anh Dung (founder of MOG) and other individual investors. Read full story
- The Department of Taxation under the Ministry of Finance has reported a sharp rise in tax revenue from e-commerce in the first months of 2025.
According to the department, 130 foreign suppliers, including Google and Facebook, have registered, declared, and paid taxes through the electronic tax portal for foreign providers, contributing a total of 2.91 trillion VND (114 million USD). Additionally, over 33,000 individual and household businesses have registered and declared taxes, amounting to 1.6 trillion VND (62.6 million USD). Read full story
- Vietnam exported 309,505 tonnes of coffee, earning approximately 1.72 billion USD in the first two months of this year, according to the Department of Customs.
Nguyen Duc Dung, Deputy General Director of the Mercantile Exchange of Vietnam (MXV), noted that coffee prices in the global market rose sharply. As a result, Vietnam's coffee export value increased by over 37% during this period, though its export volume decreased by 22%. Read full story
- The People’s Committee of Hanoi has completed a report detailing the design and renovation plans for Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square near Hoan Kiem Lake in the city downtown.
According to the committee, Dong Kinh - Nghia Thuc Square, located in the heart of Hoan Kiem district, is a well-known landmark with historical significance. Recognising its importance, the municipal People's Committee, upon reviewing the Hoan Kiem district's report, has directed the district authorities to continue working with consultants to develop a design that integrates the square with surrounding architectural structures. Read full story
- Vietnamese representatives attended the 4th International Colloquium Patria that opened in the Cuban capital of Havana on March 17.
The event saw the participation of First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez, along with numerous Cuban officials and international delegates./. Read full story
