☀️ Morning digest on April 2

Belgian King Philippe's meetings with top leaders of Vietnam, the 16th session of the Vietnam-Belarus Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, and Singapore's approval of the import of selected poultry meat and egg products from Vietnam are among news highlights on April 1 evening.

☀️ Morning digest on April 2

Hanoi (VNA) – The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.

– Party General Secretary To Lam on April 1 received Belgian King Philippe, who is on a five-day state visit to Vietnam.

Welcoming King Philippe, Queen Mathilde, and the Belgian high-level delegation to Vietnam, the Party chief highlighted the historic significance of the visit, the first at the head-of-state level between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1973. Read full story

– State President Luong Cuong and his spouse hosted a grand state banquet in honour of visiting Belgian King Philippe and Queen Mathilde in Hanoi on the evening of April 1.

grand-banquet-for-belgian-king-queen.jpg
President Luong Cuong, his spouse Nguyen Thi Minh Nguyet, and King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium at the state banquet. (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnamese leader expressed his hope that the Belgian monarchs’ visit will enable the King and Queen to witness Vietnam’s dynamic transformation and strong development, while creating an important momentum for the growth of the Vietnam-Belgium friendship in the years ahead. Read full story

– Vietnam and Belgium should foster deeper cooperation in areas of one's strength and the other's need such as high technology, circular economy, and strategic infrastructure, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated at a meeting with visiting Belgian King Philippe in Hanoi on April 1.

The PM expressed gratitude for Belgium’s continued development support for Vietnam and urged further concrete initiatives, including the implementation of the Belgian parliamentary resolution adopted in October 2023, which provides assistance to Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/dioxin. Read full story

– National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man had a meeting with visiting King Philippe of Belgium in Hanoi on April 1.

The host highlighted the visit as a significant milestone that opens a new chapter in relations between the two countries, and appreciated the sound sentiments of the Belgian King and Queen towards Vietnam. Read full story

– Developing science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation is an imperative choice and the only path to drive the country's development and improve people's living standards, said Party General Secretary To Lam on April 1.

At a meeting of the Party Central Committee’s Politburo and Secretariat providing input to a specialised report regarding breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation in Hanoi, the Party chief noted this is a specific activity affirming a high determination of the Party and State to successfully implement Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, issued by the Politburo on December 22, 2024, on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. Read full story

– Queen Mathilde of Belgium on April 1 visited the Vietnam National Children's Hospital in Hanoi, which reflected the strong public healthcare cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the field of child mental health.

The Queen and her entourage are accompanying King Philippe in a state visit to Vietnam. Currently, the Vietnam National Children's Hospital is engaged in a partnership with Léonard de Vinci College under the 2022-2024 cooperation programme between the Vietnamese Government and the French Community of Belgium in Wallonia region. Read full story

– Vietnam and Belarus are set to deepen bilateral cooperation in all fields, particularly in economy-trade and science-technology, through their Intergovernmental Committee mechanism, affirmed Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien.

vietnam-belarus-unveil-key-solutions-to-boost-trade.jpg
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Belarus Anatoly Sivak sign the meeting minutes. (Photo: VNA)

Co-chairing the 16th session of the Vietnam-Belarus Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation with Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Sivak on April 1, Minister Dien highlighted the commitment to strengthening ties across all sectors. Read full story

– Vietnam is stepping up international collaboration to tackle human trafficking and illegal migration, as Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang engaged in high-level talks with UK and French officials on the sidelines of the Border Security Summit in London on March 31.

In a meeting with UK Home Secretary Yvette Cooper, both sides reaffirmed their strong cooperation in migration management, human trafficking investigation, and immigration control. They praised the successful implementation of key agreements and the organisation of three Vietnam-UK migration dialogues at the deputy ministerial level. Read full story

– Singapore has officially approved the import of selected poultry meat and egg products from Vietnam, said Vietnamese Trade Counsellor in the city-state Cao Xuan Thang.

On March 11, the Singapore Food Agency (SFA) issued an official document approving several livestock products from Vietnam to enter Singapore. Read full story./.

VNA

See more

General Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, and former President of Laos. (Photo: VNA)

Party chief to pay tribute to former Lao top leader in Vientiane

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam will lead a high-ranking delegation of the Party and State of Vietnam to Vientiane on April 3 to pay respects to former President of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and former President of Laos Khamtay Siphandone, who passed away on April 2.

Children of Kim Lien commune, Nam Dan district, Vietnam’s Nghe An province - the hometown of President Ho Chi Minh – welcome Lao Party General Secretary and President of Laos Khamtay Siphandone during his visit to the central locality in 2002. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam extends condolences to Laos over former President Khamtay Siphanone’s passing

The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, the President, the Government, the National Assembly, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee on April 2 sent a message of condolences to their Lao counterparts over the passing of General Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, and former President of Laos.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and the Vietnamese NA delegation visit TUMO Centre for Creative Technologies (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman visits TUMO Centre for Creative Technologies in Armenia

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man directed the consideration of establishing similar creative technology centres in Vietnam, based on Armenia's TUBO Centre model, to create an educational environment that helps Vietnamese youth promote self-learning and enhance their skills, particularly in science and technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Bill Winters, Chief Executive of Standard Chartered in Hanoi on April 2 (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister receives Standard Chartered Group Chief Executive in Hanoi

The PM praised the Standard Chartered for supporting Vietnamese ministries and agencies in implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in Vietnam, as well as for working with the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) to help the country achieve its sustainable development goals.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Sivak (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam treasures time-honoured friendship with Belarus: PM

Vietnam and Belarus should make efforts to boost bilateral economic and trade relations, which are still modest compared to their potential and strengths, and create conditions for their businesses to enhance investment collaboration, and maintain the effectiveness of the Intergovernmental Committee, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha (L) holds talks with Armenian Deputy Prime Minister Mher Grigoryan (Photo: VNA)

Ample room remains for Vietnam-Armenia cooperation: Deputy PM

The two Deputy PMs focused on discussing several measures to promote bilateral relations, such as improving transportation connections and multi-modal transport to facilitate the movement of goods between the two countries and to Asian, European, and global markets.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium at a meeting with Hai Phong authorities (Photo: VNA)

King and Queen of Belgium visit Hai Phong

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and a high-level delegation from the European country engaged in a series of activities in the northern port city of Hai Phong on April 2, as part of their ongoing state visit to Vietnam.

Party General Secretary To Lam (R) receives Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko (Photo: VNA)

Party leader receives Russian Ambassador

Vietnam and Russia should also identify new directions, measures, and cooperation projects in areas such as defence and security, high technology, energy, nuclear power, basic sciences, and culture and arts, said Party chief To Lam.

King Philippe of Belgium speaks at the working session in Quang Ninh on April 2 (Photo: VNA)

Belgian King, Queen visit Quang Ninh province

Belgian investors, in partnership with local stakeholders, are currently implementing three key projects in Quang Ninh, including two major industrial infrastructure developments - the Bac Tien Phong and Nam Tien Phong Industrial Parks in Quang Yen township.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the second meeting of the National Steering Committee for building the private economic sector development project (Photo: VNA)

PM urges finalising private economic sector development project

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged promoting breakthroughs in scientific and technological development, innovation, and digital transformation for rapid and sustainable growth, noting that attention should be placed on green economy, digital economy, knowledge-based economy, circular economy, and sharing economy, particularly in emerging sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things.

☕ Afternoon briefing on April 2

☕ Afternoon briefing on April 2

The 13th meeting of the Central Military Commission, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man's participation in a business forum as part of his official visit to Armenia, and Vietnam's reduction of import taxes on various goods ahead of the US government's announcement of reciprocal tariffs on other nations are among news highlights on April 2.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (L) meets with representatives of Armenian and Vietnamese firms attending the Vietnam - Armenia Business Forum in Yerevan on April 2. (Photo: VNA)

National Assembly Chairman attends Vietnam - Armenia Business Forum in Yerevan

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stated that the Vietnamese delegation’s visit to Armenia not only aims to strengthen political and parliamentary relations, but also opens up opportunities to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation - areas in which both countries have great potential to exploit together.

Party General Secretary To Lam addresses the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

Streamlined, strong local military structure to better protect Fatherland: Party chief

The continuing re-organisation of the local military structure and the border guard force aims to enhance efficiency, reduce intermediary levels, strengthening their role as the core force in implementing the strategy of people's defence and people's war, ensuring the firm protection of national sovereignty and border security, Party General Secretary To Lam said.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia, Uzbekistan and Armenia Dang Minh Khoi. (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman’s visits to lift ties with Armenia, Uzbekistan to new heights

The diplomat expressed his hope that the visits not only help maintain the traditional friendly relations between Vietnam and the two nations, but also create new momentum to elevate cooperation to higher levels, ensuring that it is substantial, effective, and commensurate with the political relations between Vietnam and these countries.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse are welcomed at Zvartnots International Airport of Yerevan on late April 1 (local time). (Photo: VNA)

NA Chairman begins official visit to Armenia

The official visit is a demonstration of Vietnam’s consistent policy of treasuring and promoting relations with the countries it has traditional friendship with, including Armenia.

President Luong Cuong and his spouse and King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium at the state banquet. (Photo: VNA)

State leader, spouse host grand banquet for Belgian King, Queen

In the past over five decades, Vietnam and Belgium have emerged as key partners across multiple fields, including politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, education, health care, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Both nations have also worked closely together at multilateral forums, particularly as members of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure.