☕ Afternoon briefing on March 27

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on March 27

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

- The UK Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City and the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Centre signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on science, technology, and innovation cooperation during the opening session of UK-Southeast Asia Tech Week 2025 on March 27.

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The UK Consulate General and the Ho Chi Minh City Digital Transformation Centre sign a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in the fields of science, technology and innovation. (Photo: VNA)

The agreement aims to establish a strong foundation for enhancing collaboration in science, technology, and innovation based on the principles of equality and mutual benefit. It also seeks to strengthen research and innovation capabilities at both the city and national levels, contributing to sustainable development. Read full story

- Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu conducted a field trip to the northwest of the host country from March 23 to 26, aiming to provide support for the Vietnamese-origin community there and promote cooperation with local authorities in various fields.

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Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu presents gifts to Vietnamese-oigin people in Cambodia (Photo: VNA)

Vu visited Vietnamese-origin people living in Preah Vihear and Siem Reap provinces. He also met with Preah Vihear Deputy Governor Min Sitha and Siem Reap Deputy Governor Ngov Sengkak. Read full story

- The Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance have announced an increase in retail fuel prices, effective from 3:00 pm on March 27.

Petrol and diesel prices have been raised, while fuel oil has seen a slight decrease. Read full story

- A Vietnam – India business meeting was held in New Delhi on March 26 to help Vietnamese enterprises enhance competitiveness and expand their presence in the Indian market, thereby contributing to bilateral trade and investment links.

Speaking at the event, Ranjeet Mehta, Secretary-General and CEO of the PHD Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PHDCCI), highlighted the significant trade potential between Vietnamese and Indian businesses, particularly in agriculture, information technology, artificial intelligence, and robotics. He noted that the PHDCCI provides multi-sectoral platforms across India, helping to facilitate business exchanges between the two countries. Read full story

- In Vietnam, the public sector has a pivotal role to play in shaping and guiding the development of artificial intelligence (AI), which emerges as a key driver of innovation and sustainable development amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

Several central and local government agencies have begun applying AI to administrative management and public services, demonstrating the commitment to exploring the transformative potential of intelligent technologies. Read full story

- The Government greenlighted a programme to slash and simplify administrative procedures related to production and business activities for 2025 and 2026.

The programme aims to fundamentally transform administrative processes by decentralising decision-making and promoting the application of science technology and digital transformation. At its core, the initiative seeks to ensure that administrative procedures are handled at the most local level possible, reducing bureaucratic layers. Read full story

- Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung has signed a decision granting approval for a controlled pilot programme to deploy telecommunications services using low Earth orbit satellite technology, which is set to be carried out by the US’s Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX).

This pilot programme will not impose any restrictions on foreign investors regarding ownership percentages or capital contributions, according to recently-signed Decision No. 659/QD-TTg. Read full story

- The Vietnam Global Manufacturing Forum 2025 (VGMF 2025) opened in Hanoi on March 26, gathering industry leaders, experts, and around 800 enterprises in smart manufacturing and high-tech sectors.

Organised by Sunrise Store Technology Company in partnership with the Vietnam Association of Foreign Investment Enterprises (VAFIE) and Camel Exhibition and Trade Promotion Company, the two-day event fosters innovation, cooperation, and sustainable growth in Vietnam’s manufacturing sector. Read full story

- With complementary agricultural products, agricultural trade between Vietnam and the US is expected to grow further, heard a working session between Minister of Agriculture and Environment Do Duc Duy and US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper in Hanoi on March 26.

Ambassador Knapper affirmed US support for Vietnam’s sustainable development, particularly in climate change response, natural resource management, and fisheries. Read full story

- Following the phenomenal success of the "Ha Giang Passport," the Lao Cai Tourism Association has teamed up with a dynamic group of young travel bloggers to unveil the exciting new "Sa Pa Passport."

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The peak of Mount Fansipan - "Roof of Indochina" (Photo: Sun Group)

This innovative travel keepsake has rapidly captured the hearts of adventurers and emerged as a must-have item for wanderers seeking memorable experiences./.Read full story

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Tank 846 of the Liberation Army enters the Independence Palace, 30 April 1975, photographed by journalist Tran Mai Huong. (Photo: VNA)

War reporters and Great 1975 Spring Victory: Witnesses to history

The first dispatches – news reports, photos, and eyewitness accounts – came from reporters of the VNA and Thông tấn xã Giải Phóng (Liberation Press Agency - LPA). Their coverage swiftly swept across the country and reached global audiences, capturing with the historic moments of the nation’s victory against the US, the fall of the US-backed Saigon regime, and the collapse of Washington’s “Vietnamisation” strategy.

Strategic thinking, military brilliance: How CPV led the path to victory

Strategic thinking, military brilliance: How CPV led the path to victory

In the spring of 1975, under the clear-sighted leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), the Vietnamese army and people achieved a historic victory – completely liberating the South, reunifying the country, and ending more than two decades of war against the US imperialists.

The article on Resumen Latinoamericano (Source: Screenshot)

Vietnam’s April 30 victory – symbol for peace loving: Latin American journal

Titled "Vietnam, yesterday, today, and forever", Resumen Latinoamericano, a leading progressive publication in Latin America, reflected on the 117-year-long struggle that never ceased, from the August Revolution of 1945 under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh, to the historic victory at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, which reverberated across the globe.

Cuban Vice President Salvador Valdes Mesa speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

People-to-people exchange deepens Vietnam-Cuba special friendship

The bilateral relationship between Cuba and Vietnam continues to thrive, expanding in both breadth and depth, said Salvador Valdes Mesa, Politburo member of the Communist Party of Cuba and Vice President of Cuba, at the "Vietnam–Cuba Friendship Meeting" held in Ho Chi Minh City on April 28.

Professor Masina Pietro Paolo from the University of Naples “L’Orientale” in the interview with the Vietnam News Agency (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam – a symbol of peace, post-war development: Italian scholar

Half a century since the war's end and national reunification, Vietnam remains committed to building on the achievements of Doi moi (Renewal) and deeper international integration while staying determined to implement strategic breakthroughs and major national policies to herald a new era of national development.

The children of Lao nationals who have settled in Kon Tum province. (Photo: VNA)

Amendments proposed to ease nationality procedures for foreigners, OVs

The draft law on amendments to the Law on Vietnamese Nationality features the revision of some regulations related to nationality acquisition, making it easier for individuals with Vietnamese parents or grandparents, as well as foreign investors, scientists and experts, to gain Vietnamese citizenship.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Cambodian Minister of Commerce Cham Nimul (Photo: VNA)

PM welcomes Cambodian Minister of Commerce

PM Pham Minh Chinh praised the signing of the agreement to promote bilateral trade between the Governments of Vietnam and Cambodia for the 2025–2026 period, noting that it will provide legal grounds for reaching the trade target of 20 billion USD.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh discusses bilateral cooperation and regional and international developments with his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim on April 28. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese, Malaysian PMs hold phone talks

PM Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to being an active and responsible ASEAN member, pledging continued support for Malaysia during its ASEAN chairmanship and for the successful organisation of upcoming ASEAN conferences.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Chinese Minister of Veterans Affairs Pei Jinjia on April 28. (Photo: VNA)

PM receives Chinese Minister of Veterans Affairs

PM Pham Minh Chinh said he hopes that the Chinese Ministry of Veterans Affairs will bolster cooperation with Vietnamese agencies to raise public awareness of the traditional friendship between the two countries.

The meeting between Politburo member and permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu and Secretary General of the ruling Mozambique Liberation Front (FRELIMO) Party Chakil Aboobabcar on April 28 (Photo: VNA)

Officials of Vietnamese, Mozambican parties hold talks

The officials underscored the importance of preserving and fostering the relationship between the two ruling parties to guide and promote the countries’ multi-faceted cooperation, ensuring it grows deeper and delivers substantive results.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

NA Standing Committee’s 44th session wraps up

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need for continued urgency and diligence in preparing the remaining items, particularly contentious draft laws, to ensure complete documentation.

A view of Ho Chi Minh City (Photo: VNA)

Japanese expert lauds Vietnam’s art of bamboo diplomacy

Senior research fellow at Meiji University Prof. Go Ito delved into Vietnam's remarkable journey over the past five decades since the liberation of the South and national reunification in an analysis published by the Japan Forum on International Relations on April 28, crediting its adaptability and a distinctive diplomatic approach dubbed “bamboo diplomacy.”