Politics

☕ Afternoon briefing on March 28

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on March 28

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

- State President Luong Cuong on March 28 held talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is on a state visit to Vietnam from March 27-29.

talks.jpg
State President Luong Cuong holds talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Hanoi on March 28. (Photo: VNA)

Welcoming the Brazilian guest, the Vietnamese State leader affirmed that the trip holds significant importance following the upgrade of bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership in November 2024, vividly demonstrating the friendship, close cooperation, and mutual trust between the two countries. It will create momentum to elevate and concretise the new relationship framework. Read full story

- Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva met with the press in Hanoi on March 28 morning to inform about the outcomes of their earlier talks.

meeting-the-press.jpg
Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong (R) and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva meet with the press in Hanoi on March 28 morning. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the press conference, President Cuong expressed his pleasure to welcome President Lula da Silva, a close friend of Vietnam, to visit Vietnam at a very meaningful time, right on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of National Reunification and the 80th anniversary of National Day of Vietnam. Read full story

- The state visit to Vietnam by King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium from March 31 to April 4 will be an important turning point in strengthening the relationship between the two countries, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Nguyen Van Thao.

Thao, who is head of the Vietnam's Delegation to the European Union, emphasised that although Belgium is a small country, it holds a strategically important position at the heart of Europe, where the administrative and political bodies of the EU are based. With a strong and developed economy, Belgium is among the high-income countries in the EU. It established diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1973, opening up long-term cooperation opportunities between the two countries. Read full story

- Vietnam, in collaboration with the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), organised a seminar in Vienna on March 26 on the upcoming signing ceremony of the UN Convention against Cybercrime in Hanoi, during which participants praised the country's efforts in preparing for this event.

Although the seminar was specifically dedicated for European delegates, it attracted significant attention and participation of representatives from countries in other regions as well as several international organisations. Read full story

- The establishment of an International Financial Centre in Vietnam is a critical and strategic decision, which will ensure the country’s long-term financial stability and growth, financial experts and representatives of leading German businesses said in discussions with Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh during his freshly-ended visit to Germany.

Germany was the final stopover of Binh’s tour of three European countries, aimed at gathering experience for Vietnam’s plans to establish financial centres in the southern largest economic hub of Ho Chi Minh City and central Da Nang city. Read full story

- An earthquake that struck both Myanmar and Thailand on March 28 had a magnitude of 7.7, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported.

Accordingly, the earthquake occurred at 12:50 pm Myanmar time with the epicentre located 16 km northwest of Sagaing, Myanmar, at a depth of 10 km./. Read full story

VNA
#Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva #Luong Cuong #King Philippe #Queen Mathilde #earthquake
Follow VietnamPlus

Related News

☕ Afternoon briefing on March 26

☕ Afternoon briefing on March 26

The talks between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his visiting Singaporean counterpart Lawrence Wong, Vietnamese airlines' ban of power banks on their flights, and Vietnam's emphatic victory over Laos at their 2027 Asian Cup qualifying match are among news highlights on March 26.

See more

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) and President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand Sophon Zaram in Hanoi during the latter's official visit to Vietnam from August 5-7, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Thailand's parliamentary leader concludes official visit to Vietnam

Thailand attaches great importance to its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, and the two countries share a solid foundation of friendship, many common strategic interests and significant potential for cooperation, said President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand Sophon Zaram.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung speaks at the 33rd Diplomatic Conference's closing session in Hanoi on August 7, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

33rd Diplomatic Conference wraps up in Hanoi

Foreign relations are no longer viewed simply as relations with the outside world but as an integral component of national comprehensive strength and a responsibility shared by the entire Party, people, armed forces and political system.

Lawmakers in a group discussion (Photo: VNA)

Lawmakers seek legal reforms to promote telecom infrastructure data sharing

A deputy of Ha Tinh province said there is currently no clear legal basis for sharing technical infrastructure data. While the issue may be less apparent under normal circumstances, it could hamper local coordination and response during storms, floods and other disasters when detailed infrastructure data is not readily available.

Consuls general of ASEAN countries in Ho Chi Minh City show calligraphy works presented to them at the gathering on August 7. (Photo: VNA)

Get-together celebrates 59th founding anniversary of ASEAN

​Despite differences in history, culture, languages, religions, levels of development, and social conditions, ASEAN member states have chosen to respect one another, build consensus, and pursue shared regional interests. It’s the unity in diversity that has shaped ASEAN’s identity, strength, resilience, and central role in the regional architecture.

Vina Nadjibulla, former Vice President for Research and Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada (Photo; VNA)

33rd Diplomatic Conference: Vietnam's foreign policy wins praise from Canadian expert

Vina Nadjibulla, former Vice President for Research and Strategy at the Asia Pacific Foundation of Canada, credited pragmatic diplomacy with allowing Vietnam to build relationships with a range of partners without becoming overly dependent on any single country. That approach, she noted, has become more relevant as major-power rivalry heats up, the global economy fragments, and pressure mounts on countries to pick sides.

Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung speaks at the session (Photo: VNA)

Legislators review bills to streamline administrative procedures in agriculture, environment

Presenting the draft law on amending and supplementing several articles of 10 laws concerning administrative procedures and business conditions in the agriculture and environment sector, Minister of Agriculture and Environment Trinh Viet Hung said it is designed to institutionalise the Party's policy of reducing and simplifying administrative procedures and business conditions, while promoting decentralisation, innovation, and more effective state governance.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee (right) hosts a reception for Australian Governor-General Sam Mostyn in Hanoi during her state visit to Vietnam in September last year (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Australia to further strenthern cooperation

The messages posted on Australian Government media platforms highlighted Australia and Vietnam as close regional partners with a long-standing friendship. This will be General Secretary and President Lam’s first visit to Australia since being appointed as President in April and it is also the first in-person meeting between the two leaders.

Lawmakers discuss bills in groups (Photo: VNA)

Lawmakers mull over various bills in group debates

The legislative package includes a draft Law on Urban Development, a bill amending and supplementing several articles of 10 laws that govern administrative procedures and business conditions in agriculture and environment, and the draft Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Radio Frequencies, the Law on Telecommunications, the Law on E-Transactions, and the Law on Technology Transfer.

A flag-raising ceremony is held to mark the 58th founding anniversary of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on August 8, 2025 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam remains active contributor to ASEAN Community Vision 2045

Vietnam's 31-year journey with ASEAN stands as compelling testimony to its strong commitment to regional integration, as well as its pioneering spirit, sense of responsibility, and proactive contributions to building a united and resilient ASEAN Community.

Bui Quang Hung, Deputy Director General of the Trade Promotion Agency, addresses the seminar. (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Industry and Trade)

Vietnam, Netherlands seek deeper manufacturing cooperation

Manufacturing remains one of Vietnam's core industries, making a major contribution to economic growth, exports and foreign direct investment. The country has become an important production base for multinational corporations in electronics, precision engineering, electrical equipment and high-tech industries.

Lao Party General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith (right) receives General Nguyen Trong Nghia, Chairman of the General Department of Politics of the Vietnam People's Army on August 6 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos strengthen political, defence ties

The Lao leaders expressed satisfaction with the steady development of bilateral ties, noting that political relations have become increasingly close, deep and trustworthy, serving as the guiding force for overall cooperation.

Collins Chong Yew Keat, a foreign affairs, security and strategy analyst at the University of Malaya (Photo: VNA)

Malaysia-Vietnam defence ties set for more practical cooperation: expert

According to the expert, another key outcome was the reaffirmation of the 2023 defence cooperation MoU and the Action Programme for implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as the principal roadmap for future collaboration. The framework builds on existing cooperation in delegation exchanges, consultation mechanisms, military education, defence industry, and coordination within ASEAN and other multilateral forums.

Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung speaks at the networking session with business community on August 6. (Photo: VNA)

Diplomacy to accompany businesses in expanding Vietnam's development space

Opening the event, Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung said Vietnam is entering a new era of development in which foreign affairs and international integration is a crucial and regular task, contributing to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, mobilising external resources and enhancing the country's international standing.