Vietnam, Israel cooperate to early enforce trade deal

Vietnam will continue to work closely with Israel to early sign and enforce the two countries’ Free Trade Agreement (FTA), bringing practical benefits to businesses and people of both sides, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien stressed at a meeting with Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer in Hanoi on May 19.
Vietnam, Israel cooperate to early enforce trade deal ảnh 1Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien in a meeting with Embassy of Israel in Vietnam. (Photo: VNA) 

Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam will continue to workclosely with Israel to early sign and enforce the two countries’ Free Trade Agreement (FTA), bringing practical benefits to businesses and people of bothsides, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien stressed at a meeting with Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer in Hanoi on May 19.

At the meeting, Minister Dien andAmbassador Mayer shared latest information on the review of the FTA document and other legal procedures toprepare for the signing of the FTA. 

Regarding other bilateral trade matters, Minister Dien suggested the twocountries continue to strengthen cooperation in tradeand investment promotion and sending business delegations to each other's trade and investment promotion events. He proposed building mechanisms for information sharing between agencies of the two countries on policies,technical standards and regulations applied to a number of import and export commodities tofacilitate import and export goods of both sides.

He also called for stronger cooperation in high-tech equipment, biotechnology, agricultural product processing, food and otherpotential fields in which the two countries have strengths.

The minister shared that Vietnam encourages Israeli businesses to invest more in industrial production, biotechnology, information technology, new materialtechnology, consumer goods and food industries, start-ups, vocational training, technologytransfer and development of high technology in Vietnam.

Israel is currently the third largest export market and the fifth largest trading partner of Vietnam in West Asia and is considered alarge and potential market for Vietnamese goods in West Asia.

Vietnam mainly exports products such as phones andcomponents, seafood, cashew nuts, coffee, shoes, pepper, garment and textiles, wood andwood products to Israel.

It imports computers,electronic products and components, machinery, equipment and spare parts,fertilizers, vegetables and fruits from the West Asian country./.

VNA

See more

A customer is making payment via QR code at a coffee shop. The Ministry of Finance has proposed new regulations on taxable revenue thresholds for household businesses. (Photo: VNA)

Finance ministry eyes flexible tax thresholds

In a draft law amending several articles of the laws on personal income tax, corporate income tax and value-added tax, Vietnam's finance ministry proposed scrapping the fixed revenue threshold of 500 million VND. Instead, it suggested the threshold be set by the Government based on prevailing economic conditions.

Part of the Vung Ang II Thermal Power Plant. (Photo: VNA)

Vung Ang II thermal power plant inaugurated in Ha Tinh

With a total investment of 2.2 billion USD, the Vung Ang II Thermal Power Plant is developed under a build-operate-transfer (BOT) model and has a designed capacity of 1,200 MW, comprising two turbines. The plant is expected to play a key role in ensuring stable electricity supply for the central region and neighbouring areas, thereby facilitating the development of industries, agriculture and services.

Aircraft at the Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam seeks stable jet fuel supplies from China amid Middle East disruptions

On the basis of the long-standing friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and China, as well as close ties between their aviation authorities, the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam has asked the Civil Aviation Administration of China to direct relevant fuel suppliers to ensure sufficient and stable supplies for Vietnam.

Illustrative photo (Photo: Xinua/VNA)

Remittances to Ho Chi Minh City decline in Q1 amid global headwinds

Data from the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)'s Region 2 branch showed that remittances transferred through credit institutions and economic organisations in Ho Chi Minh City exceeded 2 billion USD in the January–March period, down 15.6% from the previous quarter and 16.9% year-on-year.

The shipments are unloaded at the airport. (Photo: VNA broadcasts)

Nearly 100 tonnes of Vietnamese fruits, vegetables airlifted to UAE

Vietnamese fresh produce and processed foods are increasingly recognised for their quality, with items such as cashew nuts, coffee and spices gaining popularity among Middle East consumers. In 2025, Vietnam’s farm produce exports to the UAE exceeded 445 million USD, up nearly 24% year-on-year.

The World Coffee Heritage Forum officially opens at the World Coffee Museum in Dak Lak province, with eyes on UNESCO recognition for Vietnamese coffee culture. (Photo: VNA)

World Coffee Heritage Forum opens in Dak Lak

Dak Lak is known as the 'capital' of Vietnamese coffee, with rich, fertile basalt red soil ideal for agriculture. The coffee provides livelihoods for thousands of locals and has developed a unique cultural space, closely tied to the socioeconomic life, customs and identity of local communities.

Chili peppers are on the list of essential goods in Indonesia (Photo: VNA)

Indonesia reduces imports of strategic food commodities

In 2026, Indonesia is expected to have approximately 12 million tonnes of rice carried over from the previous year, supported by annual production of around 34.7 million tonnes. With projected consumption of 31.1 million tonnes, national rice reserves could reach approximately 16 million tonnes by the end of the year.

Hanoi’s roadmap to implement low-emission zones from July is providing a strong boost to the electric two-wheeler market (Photo: VNA)

Low-emission zone roadmap drives electric two-wheeler boom in Hanoi

From July 1, Hanoi will introduce time-based or area-based restrictions on petrol-powered motorcycles within Ring Road 1, with plans to expand coverage across the entire zone by 2028 and extend to areas within Ring Road 3 by 2030. The policy is expected to reshape travel habits for millions of urban residents.

Delegates at the opening ceremony of the Made in Da Nang Expo 2026 (Photo: VNA)

Nearly 300 firms join Made in Da Nang Expo 2026

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee Tran Chi Cuong said the exhibition is a large-scale trade promotion event aimed at showcasing products, connecting markets, and helping businesses enhance competitiveness while expanding domestic and export markets.