☕ Afternoon briefing on March 31

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

☕ Afternoon briefing on March 31

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 urged Vietnamese and US universities to strengthen cooperation in education and training through specific, sustainable, practical, long-term and effective projects while addressing a working session in Hanoi on March 31 with representatives of 21 leading US universities, who are participating in the International Academic Partnership Programme (IAPP) in Vietnam.

The PM underlined that these projects should focus on helping Vietnam develop human resources in emerging industries and effectively exploit marine, outer and underground spaces. Read full story

- Myanmar authorities have expressed profound gratitude to Vietnam for its rapid response in dispatching rescue teams to support their country's in earthquake recovery efforts.

Welcoming the Vietnamese delegation at Yangon International Airport on March 30, Yangon Region Chief Minister U Soe Thein praised Vietnam’s swift action, highlighting it as a testament to the strong ties and unwavering friendship between the two nations. Read full story

- The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) on March 31 launched its page on social networking platform Zalo.

Together with the ministry’s website and its Facebook page, the Zalo page is an official information channel of the public security force on the cyber environment, with the function of informing and popularising the Party's guidelines and policies, the State's policies and laws, and the MPS's regulations on ensuring security, order, and building the people's public security force. Read full story

- Vietnam's rescue forces will operate in Mandalay, which was the most heavily devastated by the 7.7 magnitude earthquake in Myanmar, Major General Pham Van Ty, Deputy Director of the Ministry of National Defence's Search and Rescue Department, said on March 31.

Ty, who is also head of the Vietnamese mission, said that the forces from the Ministry of National Defence and the Ministry of Public Security arrived in Yangon at 8:30pm on March 30. They then immediately set off on a nearly 500 km journey by road and arrived in Naypyidaw at 3am on March 31. Read full story

- A slew of policies has been put in place to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) capital, which is seen as an important driver for Vietnam’s high economic growth targets in 2025 and the subsequent years.

According to the National Statistics Office, total registered FDI in Vietnam reached nearly 6.9 billion USD in the first two months of 2025, or a 35.5% increase as compared to the same time last year. Disbursed capital was estimated at 2.95 billion USD, up 5.4% year-on-year. Read full story

- The painting "Le Trois Femmes" (Three Ladies) by Vietnamese artist Nguyen Gia Tri was sold for over 16.1 million HKD (more than 2 million USD) in an auction in Hong Kong on March 29.

The auction "In Quest for Eternity: The Philippe Damas Collection" organised by Christie's Hong Kong (China) featured a painting collection by Philippe Damas – a businessman with years of working in Asia. Many works in the collection were created by Vietnamese famous artists. Read full story

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Massive crowds flock to the Hung Kings Temple ahead of the commemoration day. (Photo: VNA)

- The Hung Kings Temple historical site in the northern midland province of Phu Tho welcomed tens of thousands of visitors on March 29-30, more than a week ahead of the Hung Kings Commemoration Day.

According to the site management board, over 32,000 visitors came to the Hung Kings Temple, with more than 20,000 arriving on March 30 and 12,000 on March 29. Read full story

- With an unwavering effort to improve the business environment, the northern localities of Bac Ninh, Ha Nam, and Hai Phong continued to attract substantial foreign investments in the first quarter of 2025, including those from world-leading economic conglomerates with advanced and environmentally-friendly technologies.

On the first working day of 2025, Bac Ninh province granted investment registration certificates and investment approval decisions to 18 domestic and foreign enterprises, with a total registered capital of 1.8 billion USD. Of the total, foreign direct investment (FDI) reached 1.67 billion USD, fulfilling the province's yearly target./. Read full story

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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.

A view of a National Assembly meeting (Photo: VNA)

NA reviews special mechanisms to keep APEC 2027 projects on schedule

The draft laws include the Law on Urban Development; the Law on amending and supplementing several articles of 10 laws concerning administrative procedures and business conditions in the agriculture and environment sectors; and the 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.