☀️ Morning digest on March 5

The second meeting of the Central Steering Committee for the Development of Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's dialogue with ASEAN businesses, and the political consultation between Vietnam and Kazakhstan are among news highlights on March 4 evening.

☀️ Morning digest on March 5

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

– The Central Steering Committee for the Development of Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation held its second meeting in Hanoi on March 4 under the chair of Party General Secretary To Lam.

General Secretary To Lam praised the efforts of the Party Committees of the Government, the National Assembly, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, and other key Party agencies. However, he also pointed out existing challenges that must be addressed to prevent them from becoming bottlenecks. Read full story

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a dialogue in Hanoi on March 4 with businesses from ASEAN member countries that are operating in Vietnam.

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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (seventh from right) and delegates at the dialogue (Photo: VNA)

This was the 10th working session in a month that the Vietnamese Government leader had held with both domestic and foreign business communities, aiming to promote investment, production, and business activities, helping Vietnam achieve a growth target of 8% in 2025 and double-digit rates in the following years. Read full story

– National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man chaired a meeting between NA leaders and the Standing Board of the Ethnic Council, NA committees, and the NA Office to review February's work and set priorities for March and beyond.

Man emphasised that the workload would be heavy, with many challenges requiring unity and commitment. He called on NA agencies to strengthen their role in legislation, supreme oversight, and major national decisions. Read full story

– NA Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh held a meeting in Hanoi on March 4 with Caroline Nyamayemombe, UN Women Representative in Vietnam, and Michaela Bauer, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Vietnam, to strengthen cooperation on gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Thanh praised the strong collaboration between UN Women and Vietnam in developing and implementing policies on gender equality and preventing gender-based violence. Read full story

– Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang visited Kazakhstan from March 2 to 3 for a political consultation at the invitation of the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The consultation took place on March 3, co-chaired by Hang and her Kazakh counterpart Alibek Bakayev. Both officials expressed satisfaction with the positive momentum in the countries’ traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation, particularly following Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s official visit to Vietnam in August 2023. Read full story

– Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Hoang Xuan Chien hosted Second Permanent Secretary at the UK Home Office Simon Ridley in Hanoi on March 4.

Chien appreciated the UK's cooperation with Vietnam in combating human trafficking with various activities, such as delegation exchange, experience sharing, and English language teaching. He expressed his hope that the two sides will continue working together to effectively implement relevant cooperation agreements in this field. Read full story

– Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court Le Minh Tri has called on the Republic of Korea (RoK) to enhance support, exchanges, and training in electronic investigation and evidence, and in the fight against high-tech and transnational crimes.

At a meeting with RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Choi Young-sam on March 4, Tri reaffirmed the RoK’s status as one of Vietnam’s leading partners in all spheres. He extended his appreciation for the RoK’s support in key projects benefiting the Supreme People’s Court. Read full story

– Vietnam’s state budget revenue was estimated at 499.8 trillion VND (approximately 19.55 billion USD) in the first two months of 2025, reaching 25.4% of the projection and soaring 25.7% year-on-year.

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Vietnam’s state budget revenue was estimated at 499.8 trillion VND in the first two months of 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Notably, 37 out of the 63 localities reported domestic revenue exceeding 20% of their targets, while 48 localities recorded year-on-year revenue growth. Read full story

– Chairman of the Danish Parliament’s Foreign Policy Committee Michael Aastrup Jensen has praised Vietnam’s vessel monitoring system for fishing activities and the quality of its seafood products.

During a working session with the Thuan An Fish Port Management Board in the central city of Hue, Jensen expressed his appreciation for the country’s fight against illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, pledging to relay these positive insights to the European Commission (EC). Read full story

– Hundreds of Singaporean financial and business leaders gathered at the 2025 Da Nang Investment Forum, jointly held by the municipal People’s Committee and Terne Holdings in the city state on March 3, to explore investment opportunities in Da Nang city.

In his address, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Nguyen Van Quang highlighted that the forum aimed at showcasing the city’s investment advantages in key areas identified as breakthrough drivers for its socio-economic development. Read full story./.

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PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Chairman and General Director of AstraZeneca Vietnam Nitin Kapoor (Photo: VNA)

PM calls on AstraZeneca to transfer vaccine technology to Vietnam

PM Chinh expressed his appreciation for AstraZeneca and Kapoor’s practical and effective support during Vietnam’s battle against COVID-19 pandemic. He spotlighted the company’s delivery of 30 million vaccine doses ahead of schedule and at a reduced cost, despite global supply chain disruptions.

Delegates at the meeting (Photo: VNA)

Minister of Public Security receives Samsung Vietnam’s General Director

Quang congratulated Na on his appointment as General Director of Samsung Vietnam, emphasising that the strong partnership between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) provides a solid foundation for Samsung’s operations in Vietnam. He also hailed Samsung Vietnam as a bright spot in economic and investment cooperation between the two countries.

At the meeting (Photo: VNA)

Administrative merger must ensure principles, criteria, standards: PM

Chairing a meeting of the Government’s Party Committee in Hanoi on March 5, PM Chinh, who is also its Secretary, stressed the importance of preserving each region's unique geographical, socio-economic, cultural, and historical characteristics, while ensuring that merged units can complement and support one another.

HCMA President Nguyen Xuan Thang (R) and Chairman of the Danish Parliament’s Foreign Policy Committee Michael Aastrup Jensen. (Photo: VNA)

Official urges closer Vietnam-Denmark collaboration in policy research

As Vietnam is set to enter a new era of the nation’s rise, the country is undertaking institutional and political system reforms while restructuring state management at all levels. At the same time, it is fostering new growth drivers and inspiring a strong national spirit, self-reliance, confidence, resilience, a sense of pride and aspiration for national development, said Politburo member, Chairman of the Central Theory Council and President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) Nguyen Xuan Thang.

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)

PM welcomes Lao Deputy Minister of National Defence

Stressing the enduring significance of the great Vietnam-Laos friendship in national building and safeguarding of both countries, PM Chinh reaffirmed Vietnam’s appreciation for Laos' support in national defence and development.

☕ Afternoon briefing on March 5

☕ 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.

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

Kyrgyzstan PM’s visit marks new milestone in bilateral ties

The Vietnam visit by Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister Adylbek Kasimalyev on March 6-7 is expected to mark a new chapter in bilateral relations, deepening traditional friendship between the two countries and unlocking their cooperation potential in key sectors.

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)

Vietnam to support Laos in forming UN peacekeeping force

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.

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

PM urges thorough preparation for administrative unit restructuring

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highlighted the need to promote growth by revitalising traditional growth drivers, and fostering new ones; and strengthen inspections and address difficulties and obstacles to accelerate the disbursement of public investment capital, especially for key national projects.

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)

Vietnam, Laos enhance defence cooperation

Receiving Lieutenant General Saichay Kommasith, Deputy Minister of National Defence and Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People's Army, who is on an official visit to Vietnam from March 4-6, Minister of National Defence General Phan Van Giang said bilateral defence cooperation mechanisms have expanded in both scope and depth.

The online seminar on the Vietnam-Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam-Singapore relations poised for new heights

With economic collaboration on the rise, Vietnam-Singapore trade is projected to grow by around 10% annually over the next three years, while increased investment from Singaporean enterprises is anticipated, particularly in manufacturing, technology, energy, and services.

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

PM holds dialogue with businesses from ASEAN

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the Vietnamese Government will always stand by businesses to foster breakthroughs, unite strengths, and shape the future, keeping ASEAN a dynamic, innovative, and growth-centered region that benefits all member countries