☕ Afternoon briefing on March 5

The Government's meeting for February, defence cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, and a 35.5% year-on-year increase in FDI during the first two months are among news highlights on March 5.

☕ Afternoon briefing on March 5

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 on March 5 urged ministries, sectors, and localities to continue streamlining the organisational apparatus and prepare for the restructuring of administrative units, along with efforts to ensure macroeconomic stability, promote growth, and respond to trade competition.

Chairing a regular Government meeting for February, PM Chinh stressed that achieving a GDP growth rate of at least 8% in 2025 remains a significant challenge, requiring continued, utmost efforts. Read full story

– Vietnam will support Laos in establishing its UN peacekeeping force, as agreed by the two countries' defence officers at their talks in Hanoi on March 5.

At the talks between General Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defence, and Lieut. Gen. Saichay Kommasith, Deputy Minister of National Defence and Chief of General Staff of the Lao People's Army (LPA), the two sides pointed to a number of focal points for future cooperation between the two armies. Read full story

– The United Nations (UN) General Assembly on March 4 adopted a resolution commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II, with Vietnam among its co-authors.

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The United Nations (UN) General Assembly on March 4 adopted a resolution commemorating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. (Photo: VNA)

Beyond honouring the conclusion of a war that brought immense suffering to humanity, the resolution highlights how this milestone paved the way for the founding of the UN. It urges nations to tackle challenges to international peace and security, refrain from the threat or use of force against the independence and territorial integrity of any state, and resolve disputes through peaceful means in line with the UN Charter. Read full story

– A series of important cooperation agreements and new contracts with a total value of up to 60 million USD are expected to be signed at the 10th International Exhibition on Shipbuilding and Offshore Technology (Vietship 2025), which opened in Hanoi on March 5.

Jointly organised by the Vietnam Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (SBIC) and Vietnam Shipbuilding Engineering Company (VISEC), the three-day event features over 200 booths of more than 100 domestic and international exhibitors, including those from countries with developed maritime industries, such as Norway, the Netherlands, China, Finland, the Republic of Korea, and Singapore. Read full story

– Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam exceeded 6.9 billion USD in the first two months of 2025, marking a 35.5% year-on-year surge, according to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Finance.

The agency reported that by the end of February, FDI disbursement was estimated at approximately 2.95 billion USD, reflecting a 5.4% increase compared to the same period last year. Read full story

– To create an attractive business environment, at least 30% of the time and costs for administrative procedures must be cut, and unnecessary business conditions removed, as directed by Party General Secretary To Lam.

During a recent working session with representatives of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Policies and Strategies, the leader urged greater efforts to position Vietnam's investment environment among the top three in ASEAN within the next two to three years. Read full story

– HawaExpo 2025 kicked off in Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh City, on March 4, showcasing made-in-Vietnam furniture and wooden products for export.

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Delegates cut the ribbon to kick off HawaExpo 2025. (Photo: VNA)

HawaExpo 2025 is regarded as a pioneering trade fair that integrates traditional values into its exhibition space, honouring Vietnam’s cultural heritage through contemporary creative ideas. The event gathers leading domestic brands in furniture, home and outdoor décor, and accessories. Read full story

– Cuban Minister of Domestic Trade Betsy Diaz Velazquez has expressed a strong interest in fostering joint ventures with Vietnamese partners in manufacturing and trade within Cuba's domestic market.

During a meeting on March 4 with Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Le Quang Long, Diaz Velazquez said Cuba will provide optimal conditions for Vietnamese investors to establish joint ventures in manufacturing and trade, aiming to meet the Cuban population's essential goods needs. Read full story

– The Da Nang city Department of Tourism has unveiled the 2025 tourism stimulus programme, themed "Enjoy Da Nang 2025 – Diverse Experience," featuring a wide range of events and incentives aimed at attracting visitors.

The programme consists of two key initiatives: "Enjoy Da Nang 2025 – Diverse Experience" – offering service discounts and gifts for all tourist markets, running throughout 2025, and "I Love Da Nang" – designed to encourage international tourists to return to the central coastal city, Truong Thi Hong Hanh, the department’s director said at a press conference on March 4. Read full story./.

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PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Lao Deputy Minister of National Defence and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People’s Army (LPA) Lieut. Gen. Saichay Kommasith. (Photo: VNA)

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Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister Adylbek Kasimalyev (Photo: VNA)

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General Nguyen Tan Cuong (left), Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, and Lieutenant General Saichay Kommasith, Deputy Minister of National Defence and Chief of General Staff of the Lao People's Army, review the Guard of Honor of the Vietnam People's Army at the welcome ceremony for the Lao official in Hanoi on March 5. (Photo: VNA)

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the regular Government meeting (Photo: VNA)

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Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang receives Lieutenant General Saichay Kommasith, Deputy Minister of National Defence and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People's Army on March 5. (Photo: VNA)

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh addresses the dialogue (Photo: VNA)

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