The year 2025 marks 30 years since Vietnam became a member of ASEAN. Over the past three decades, the decision to join the bloc has proven to be a historically and strategically significant move by the Party and the State, bringing major benefits in terms of security, development, and international standing. With a proactive, positive, and responsible approach, Vietnam has made many practical contributions to ASEAN’s success.
Indonesian experts shared a view that by 2045, Vietnam will stand as a driving force behind ASEAN’s continued centrality within the Indo-Pacific architecture, helping to sustain a resilient, integrated, and people-centred ASEAN.
Over the past 30 years alongside ASEAN, Vietnam has not only contributed to strengthening internal unity and building a resilient ASEAN Community, but also enhanced its own standing on the international stage.
Its shift towards a modern economic structure, with a growing services sector and a favourable demographic profile has made Vietnam an increasingly attractive destination for foreign investors. Vietnam is now regarded as a key growth driver within ASEAN.
In 2025, Viet Nam fielded seven teams at international and regional Olympiad competitions, with 37 students competing and all winning medals, including 13 golds, 16 silvers and eight bronzes—an increase of one gold and one silver compared with 2024.
In the first 11 months of this year, eight export items each posted turnover of more than 10 billion USD, accounting for 70.3% of the country’s total export value. Electronics, computers and components led the list with 96.9 billion USD, followed by machinery and equipment at nearly 53.4 billion USD, and mobile phones and components at over 52.6 billion USD.
As of December 9, 2025, Vietnam has 17 intangible cultural heritage elements recognised by UNESCO. Among them, the Dong Ho folk painting craft has been inscribed on UNESCO’s List of Intangible Cultural Heritage in Need of Urgent Safeguarding, becoming the country’s 17th recognised element.
The Nhon Trach 3 and 4 power thermal plants, invested by Petrovietnam Power Corporation, have a total investment of around 1.4 billion USD. With a combined capacity of 1,624 MW, the plants are expected to supply over 9 billion kWh annually once fully operational, adding substantial baseload power to the system, particularly in the southern region.
With 1,837 AI-powered cameras installed at 195 key intersections, the Smart Traffic Control Centre is set to serve as the “brain” overseeing traffic conditions and public order in Hanoi in real time. The system enables the public security forces to monitor images across major roads and junctions, promptly detect congestion, violations, accidents and incidents, and respond in a timely manner.
In the January–November period of 2025, nearly 275,600 enterprises nationwide registered or resumed operations, up 26.1% compared with the same period in 2024.
Hanoi’s economy maintained steady momentum in the first 11 months of 2025, with state budget revenue, public investment disbursement and international tourist arrivals all posting positive results, reinforcing the city’s overall trend of stable and improving growth.
Prime Minister’s Decision No. 2629/QD-TTg dated December 1, 2025, approving the Digital Government Development Programme, affirms that the programme is guided by the principle of expanding inclusive and widespread digital services, with people and businesses placed at the centre as key actors, beneficiaries and co-creators of digital services.
Prime Minister’s Decision No. 2629/QD-TTg dated December 1, 2025, approving the Digital Government Development Programme, affirms that the programme is guided by the principle of expanding inclusive and widespread digital services, with people and businesses placed at the centre as key actors, beneficiaries and co-creators of digital services.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows into Vietnam maintained strong growth momentum over the past 11 months. The National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Finance reported that total registered foreign investment during the period reached 33.69 billion USD, rising 7.4% from a year earlier.
Hanoi’s pioneering pilot of public electric bicycles is seen as a fitting step in its drive to build a civilised, modern, green and sustainable capital, improving quality of life, creating a more people-friendly urban environment and promoting the green-transport trend the city is pursuing.
Hanoi is set to activate more than 1,800 AI-powered cameras from 10 December 2025 as part of a major push to modernise traffic management, improve enforcement and build a more civilised urban environment. The upgraded system will automate violation detection, adjust traffic signals in real time, and support fully digital “cold penalty” procedures, marking a significant step in the capital’s digital-transformation drive.
Resolution No. 244/2025/QH15, adopted at the 10th session of the 15th National Assembly on November 13, 2025, sets the key socio-economic development targets for 2026, including a GDP growth rate of 10% or higher, and a per capita GDP of 5,400–5,500 USD.
November's PMI stands at 53.8, slightly below October’s 54.5 but still well above the 50-point threshold, signalling continued improvement in business conditions in Vietnam and a fifth month of manufacturing recovery despite weather-related supply disruptions.
The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) respectfully presents the list of 34 provincial and municipal Party Secretaries for the 2025–2030 tenure, updated as of December 3, 2025.
Vietnam’s logistics sector is advancing rapidly, achieving average annual growth of 14–16%, contributing 4.5–5% to GDP, and ranking among the Top 5 in ASEAN. With modernised infrastructure, over 34,000 enterprises, and deeper integration into global supply chains, the sector is becoming a key driver of national efficiency and innovation.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has issued Official Dispatch No. 234/CD-TTg to launch and implement the “Quang Trung Campaign” for the rapid reconstruction and repair of homes for families whose houses were damaged by recent natural disasters in the central provinces.
From 2015 to 2025, Vietnam’s hospitals have made significant progress towards modern, internationally aligned quality standards, with most facilities achieving over 90% compliance in key quality-improvement and patient-safety activities.
Party General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to Laos is one of Vietnam’s most significant foreign affairs activities in 2025. The visit reaffirms the strong resolve of the two countries’ leaders to continue preserving, nurturing, and promoting the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
The ongoing visit to Vietnam by Sultan of Brunei Haji Hassanal Bolkiah further deepens political trust and advances multifaceted cooperation, making bilateral ties increasingly substantive and effective.
