☕ Afternoon briefing on March 20

The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency.
☕ Afternoon briefing on March 20 ảnh 1
Hanoi(VNA) - The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported bythe Vietnam News Agency.

- Economic cooperation should continue to be the focus of bilateral tiesbetween Vietnam and the Republic of Korea, National Assembly (NA) Vice ChairmanNguyen Duc Hai said at his talks with Deputy Assembly Speaker of the RoK ChungWoo-taik in Seoul on March 20. Read full story

- Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court Nguyen Hoa Binh and Minister ofJustice Le Thanh Long cleared up questions regarding asset recovery incorruption cases, at a Q&A session in Hanoi on March 20 as part of the 21stmeeting of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee. He admitted that thework has yet to be done strictly although 40% of the assets were recovered overthe past decade. Read full story

- Vietnam is striving to lure more Japanese investments to digitaltransformation and green growth, as recommended in the Vietnam-Japan JointInitiative (VJI). Phase VIII of the initiative, launched in 2003, concluded inMarch 2023, under which 497 out of the 597 items were completed. Read full story

- The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) has been assigned to coordinatewith related ministries to devise and propose policies and measures forattracting international financial funds and capital sources to public -private partnership (PPP) projects in Vietnam. This is among the tasks set byDeputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha with regard to PPP investment activities,according to the Government Office. Read full story

- Vietnam’s industrial real estate sector has great potential for developingmore projects related to data centres, cold storages and logistics, accordingto John Campbell, Associate Director, Head of Industrial Services at SavillsVietnam - the largest and most experienced real estate services company in theSoutheast Asian nation. Main opportunities in the logistics industry includelast-mile logistics services and the implementation of a logistics 4.0 system,said Campbell. Read full story

- The first batch of 20 tonnes of fresh sugarcane from Hoa Binh bound for theUS was announced at a ceremony held in the northern mountainous province onMarch 19. Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Dinh Con Su saidthe province will seek ways to boost sugarcane exports, contributing to the developmentof sugar industry in the locality. Read full story

- The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment has asked other ministries,agencies, sectors, localities, and organisations to take practical andeffective activities to mark the World Water Day (March 22), the WorldMeteorological Day (March 23), and the Earth Hour 2023 (March 25). Read full story

- Task forces in the northern port city of Hai Phong seized about 7 tonnes oftusks hidden in a container arriving at Nam Dinh Vu Port from Africa on March20, according to the General Department of Customs. This is the largest everseizure of smuggled tusks in Hai Phong, the agency said, adding that the caseis under further investigation. Read full story

- The Hanoi Tourism Festival 2023 will take place in the capital downtown fromMarch 23-26 to introduce local attractive tourist destinations, products, andservices to international visitors. Read full story

- The Ho Chi Minh City Ballet Symphony Orchestra and Opera has announced aSergei Rachmaninov music night will take place on March 26 at the city’s OperaHouse to mark the 150th birthday of the Russian famous romantic composer (1873- 2023). The guest artist this time is pianist Nguyen Viet Trung who willreturn from Poland. Trung and the city’s orchestra will perform under the batonof Meritorious Artist Tran Vuong Thach. Read full story./.
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President Ho Chi Minh works at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. (File photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh Thought guides development path: Top leader

In an article written on the occasion of President Ho Chi Minh’s 136th birth anniversary (May 19, 1890 – 2026), the top Vietnamese leader affirmed that “Ho Chi Minh Thought serves as a guiding light along our development path.”

Vietnamese Ambassador to Venezuela Vu Trung My speaks at the event (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh’s enduring legacy highlighted at Venezuela commemoration

Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Jesús Faria expressed deep admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnam’s indomitable struggle for national independence. He described President Ho Chi Minh as an immortal symbol of 20th-century national liberation movements, whose legacy continues to inspire leftist parties, progressive movements, and peoples across Latin America, including Venezuela.

Standing Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Loc Ha (R) and EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City, EU boast ample room for sustainable development cooperation

Since the establishment of their diplomatic ties in 1990, Vietnam and the EU have deepened the bilateral ties into one of the bloc’s most dynamic and in-depth partnerships with an ASEAN member, Ha noted, adding that the relationship entered a new chapter in January when the President of European Council’s visit upgraded it to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang speaks at a discussion session on reforming multilateral systems and global governance, held on May 15, 2026, as part of the expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in India. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam ready to strengthen BRICS connection with Asia-Pacific

Hang called on countries to act responsibly in accordance with international law and the UN Charter; respect the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states; refrain from using or threatening to use force; and settle disputes peacefully through dialogue. She also underscored the importance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation through straits in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (centre), DPRK Vice Minister Pak of Foreign Affairs Sang Gil (left), and Vietnamese Ambassador to the DPRK Le Ba Vinh cut the ribbon to open the exhibition. (Photo: VNA)

Photo exhibition highlights Vietnam–DPRK relations

Visitors at the exhibition were moved by historical photographs dating back nearly 70 years, including images of the founding leader of the DPRK Kim Il Sung personally welcoming President Ho Chi Minh and a CPV delegation at Pyongyang’s Sunan International Airport during their visit to the DPRK from July 8–12, 1957. In return, the DPRK leader paid an official visit to Vietnam from November 27 to December 3, 1958.

Illustrative image (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM calls for substantive assessment of two-tier local administration operations

Chairing a meeting on the development of a scheme to review the first-year operations of the political system’s organisational apparatus and the two-tier local administration model, Tra emphasised that the review must comprehensively and objectively evaluate the nationwide implementation of administrative unit restructuring and the operation of the new local administration model.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi (right) and First Deputy Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia Andrey Yatskin at their meeting in Moscow on May 14. (Photo: VNA)

Key directions for Vietnam–Russia cooperation in 2026

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Dang Minh Khoi had a working session with a delegation from the Russian Federation Council led by First Deputy Chairman Andrey Yatskin, in Moscow on May 14, discussing the expansion of multifaceted cooperation in 2026.

Officials from Cao Bang province of Vietnam and Baise city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China hold talks on May 15. (Photo: VNA)

Cao Bang, China’s Baise city eye to boost all-around cooperation

Cao Bang province of Vietnam and Baise city in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China are exploring a “red tourism” route linking Pac Bo and Meng Mo (China) to promote revolutionary tradition education and strengthen bilateral friendship. They are also stepping up cooperation in human resource development through training exchanges and efforts to improve workforce quality.

Atsaphangthong Siphandone (centre), Secretary of the Vientiane Party Committee and Chairman of the municipal People’s Council, speaks at the working session. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane strengthen cooperation for 2026–2030

Under the MoU, the two sides will strengthen cooperation in politics – diplomacy, security – defence, legal and judicial affairs, economic affairs, education, culture and society, cooperation among mass organisations and socio-political organisations, and development support.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung (left) meets with Jo Yong Won, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) and Chairman of the SPA of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, in Pyongyang on May 15. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam wishes to unceasingly develop ties with DPRK: Foreign Minister

Jo Yong Won, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Supreme People's Assembly (SPA) and Chairman of the SPA of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), expressed confidence that under the leadership of the CPV, headed by General Secretary and President Lam, Vietnam will successfully achieve the strategic goals set forth at the 14th National Party Congress.

New Hungarian Prime Minister Peter Magyar (front) at the swearing-in ceremony of the new Government in Budapest on May 12, 2026. (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Congratulations to newly-elected Hungarian leaders

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man on May 15 sent messages of congratulations to Magyar Péter and Forsthoffer Ágnes on their election as Prime Minister and Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary, respectively.

Ministers and deputy ministers from BRICS member and partner countries pose for a group photo while attending the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting in India on May 14. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam proposes key cooperation orientations at BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared Vietnam’s approach to building an independent and self-reliant economy linked to deep international integration, while proposing several key areas for enhanced cooperation between BRICS and partner countries at the Expanded BRICS Foreign Ministers' Meeting that opened on May 14 in India.

Dr Anatoly Sokolov from the Oriental Research Institute under the Russian Academy of Sciences in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s correspondent in Russia. (Photo: VNA)

President Ho Chi Minh’s experience in Soviet Union crucial to Vietnam’s revolution: Russian scholar

The Russian scholar emphasised that Ho Chi Minh’s years in the Soviet Union provided him with essential experience in organising the masses and conducting political work for revolutionary purposes. This knowledge proved crucial when he later successfully led the August Revolution in 1945, establishing the Democratic Republic of Vietnam - the first people’s democratic state in Southeast Asia - without relying on external assistance. The victory became a powerful inspiration for national liberation movements across colonised countries worldwide, he added