Business

Vietnam, Laos step up agricultural cooperation

Vietnam and Laos have inked a MoU on boosting their comprehensive cooperation in agro-forestry, fisheries and rural development with a focus on science and technology, training, investment and trade.
Vietnam and Laos have inked a MoU on boosting their comprehensivecooperation in agro-forestry, fisheries and rural development with afocus on science and technology, training, investment and trade.

The memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between VietnameseMinister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat and LaoAgro-Forestry Minister Sitaheng Rasphone in Hanoi on September 14.

Under the MoU, which is part of the twoGovernments’ Cooperation Agreement, the two sides will continueimplementing projects to build agriculture-rural area-farmer developmentstrategies and zone off agricultural areas for Laos .

The MoU also mentions several new projects in 2011, including LaoFisheries Development Planning for 2011-2020, research on creating newvarieties of maize and upgrade of an animal quarantine post at theDensavanh border gate in Sepon district as well as a project ontransferring flood and drought management software.

The two countries’ agricultural ministries will strengthen bilateraland multilateral cooperation to realise their regional and internationalcommitments in the fields of climate change, reducing emissions fromdeforestation and forest degradation (REDD+), food security and safety,and strengthening management and enforcement of laws on forestry andforest product trade.

Earlier, the two sides heldtalks during which they informed each other about each country’sagricultural development situation. The two ministers agreed to speed upthe trading of agro-forestry products between the two countries, removetrade barriers and facilitate investment activities by Vietnamese andLao businesses.

According to Minister Phat, theVietnam-Laos agricultural cooperation has seen remarkable resultsrecently with the effective prevention of cross-border infectiousdiseases among animals and the signing of cooperation agreements onprotecting watershed and border forests as well as the planting ofrubber trees in Laos. The two countries aim to have more than 24,400 haplanted with rubber trees by the end of this year.

He also suggested the two sides further strengthen bilateral ties inthe fields of veterinary, animal quarantine and afforestation./.
Follow VietnamPlus

See more

Farmers harvest the 2025 Winter–Spring rice crop in An Giang province. (Photo: VNA)

An Giang accelerates export shift to meet green consumption trends

To enhance competitiveness, authorities are assisting businesses in obtaining globally recognised certifications such as GlobalG.A.P., Organic and HACCP, enabling key exports including rice, seafood and clean agricultural products to strengthen their position in global markets, according to Quang Xuan Lua, Director of the An Giang Centre for Trade and Investment Promotion.

Motorcycle riders refill their vehicles at a petrol station in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)

E5 RON92 biofuel price falls in latest adjustment

Since the beginning of this year, domestic fuel prices have undergone 14 adjustments, including five decreases and nine increases for RON95 and six declines and eight hikes for E5 RON92. Meanwhile, diesel price has fallen three times and risen 11 times.

A French customer is tasting Vietnamese lychee. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese agricultural products boost global brand recognition

Vietnam aims to achieve about 74 billion USD in agro-forestry-fishery export turnover this year. Expanding value-added products, improving quality standards and strengthening brand building, especially through international supermarket systems, will be key to enhancing the competitiveness and global recognition of Vietnamese agricultural products.

An apartment building developed by BCONS in Binh Duong (Photo: VNA)

Resolution 68 boosts businesses entering market

By the end of 2025, Vietnam had more than one million active enterprises. In the first two months of 2026, about 64,500 enterprises entered or re-entered the market, up 29.4% year-on-year, averaging 32,200 newly established or returning businesses per month.

A Vinh Long official introduces signature local products to Korean guests. (Photo: VNA)

Vinh Long courts Korean investment in key sectors

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Truc Son vowed to accompany investors and provide them with optimal conditions, while building a transparent and stable business environment to secure long-term engagement from foreign enterprises, particularly those from Daejeon.

Delegates at the launching ceremony (Photo: VNA)

Digital platform on overseas market development launched

With Vietnam’s network of 64 trade offices overseas, Deputy PM Son noted that connecting them through a modern digital platform could help establish a unified national trade information system that operates efficiently, transparently and with strong forecasting capacity.

The Government’s issuance of Decree No. 72/2026/ND-CP revising preferential import tariffs on several petrol products and raw materials is a timely move to diversify supply sources. (Photo: VNA)

Fuel import tariff cuts strengthen Vietnam’s energy resilience: experts

Economic expert Dinh Trong Thinh said revising fuel import tariffs helps diversify supply sources and reduce reliance on traditional markets, thereby strengthening Vietnam’s ability to cope with potential global supply shocks. Ensuring access to multiple energy sources is also vital for safeguarding national energy security, he added.

Leaders of Dak Lak province inspect IUU fishing prevention and control efforts at Phu Lac fishing port, Hoa Hiep ward. (Photo: daklak.gov.vn)

Dak Lak readies for EC mission on anti-IUU fishing efforts

Dak Lak province is completing preparations for an upcoming European Commission (EC) inspection on efforts to combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, with a view to having the fisheries “yellow card” removed.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina Ngo Minh Nguyet speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Argentina promote trade, investment cooperation

On relations with South America, Nguyet noted that in December 2025, Vietnam and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) announced the launch of negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA). She expressed her hope that the agreement will be signed soon, thereby further boosting trade and investment between Vietnam and MERCOSUR member states, including Argentina.

Customers buy petrol at a Petrolimex petrol station in Tran Hung Dao ward, Hung Yen province. (Photo: VNA)

PM orders stronger measures to ensure stable petrol supply

The MoIT was instructed to direct key petrol producers and traders to proactively develop supply plans to guarantee adequate fuel provision for distribution systems, maintain regular sale operations, and sell products at listed prices. It must also closely monitor developments in global and domestic petrol markets and adopt appropriate management measures when necessary.

Farmers in Ca Mau province use combine harvesters to harvest rice. (Photo: VNA)

PM orders coordinated measures to stabilise rice production and markets

The Minister of Agriculture and Environment is tasked with instructing local authorities to closely monitor production developments, improve forecasting capacity, strengthen pest control measures, and proactively respond to adverse weather conditions to protect crops, maintain planned yields and output, and reduce production costs.