A US delegation led by Secretary of War Pete Hegseth paid an official visit to Vietnam from November 2–3. General Phan Van Giang, Minister of National Defence of Vietnam, hosted a welcome ceremony for Hegseth and the two sides held talks on Nov. 2. Cooperation in war consequence remediation remained a highlight in bilateral defence ties.
Speed1x
Here are selected events from November 1-6.
- Party leader calls for consensus on development vision at Party Central Committee’s 14th plenum.
- Politburo announces major personnel decisions.
- Addressing war legacies remains a priority in Vietnam–US defense cooperation.
- Vietnam elected Vice President of 43rd session of UNESCO’s General Conference.
- Thang Long – Hanoi Festival 2025 celebrates Vietnamese heritage, creativity./.
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2025 marks a significant milestone for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). It commemorates both the 10th anniversary of the ASEAN Community (December 31, 2015 – December 31, 2025) and the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s official accession to ASEAN (July 28, 1995 – July 28, 2025). Over the past three decades, Vietnam has consistently played a proactive, active, and responsible role in building a resilient, united ASEAN with a growing voice and position in the region and the world.
Vietnam has become the first men's team to win the ASEAN U23 Championship three times in a row, following a 1-0 victory over Indonesia in the final.
Typhoon Wipha (designated as Typhoon No. 3 in Vietnam) has caused widespread destruction across several northern and north-central provinces, damaging hundreds of homes, submerging over 119,000ha of rice paddies and triggering multiple dike incidents.
On December 22, 2024, Party General Secretary To Lam signed Resolution 57, outlining breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation. The resolution reflects the Party’s strategic vision and political will.
With the newly-adopted decisions at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, Vietnam now has a total of nine World Heritage sites.
The Singapore-based United Overseas Bank (UOB) has revised its forecast projection for Vietnam’s GDP growth, upward to 6.9% for 2025 from its previous projection of 6%, following the strong performance in the second quarter.
The restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is more than just an organisational reform — it's a strategic move shaped by a long-term, century-spanning vision.
On July 1, Vietnam officially implemented the two-tier local government model, marking a significant milestone in the country's administrative reforms.
The 15th National Assembly on June 25 adopted the Law on amendments and supplements to certain articles of the Penal Code, in which the death penalty for eight criminal offenses is abolished.
Under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam’s revolutionary press has always stood alongside the nation as a vanguard force on the ideological and cultural front, making invaluable contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the people. Over the past century, it has played a pivotal role in national liberation and development. On this occasion, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) correspondents in Argentina, Russia, and Mexico interviewed foreign politicians and journalists about the achievements of Vietnam’s revolutionary press.
The iconic Reunification Express of Vietnam has been named the number one experience on Lonely Planet’s newly released list of the 24 most incredible train journeys to book in 2025.
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda and his spouse Diana Nausediene, along with a high-ranking delegation of Lithuania paid an official visit to Vietnam from June 11-12 at the invitation of State President Luong Cuong. This historic official visit, the first by a Lithuanian head of state since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992, marks a significant milestone and opens up new opportunities for cooperation, especially in areas where both sides have strengths and needs.
This past May, on the sidelines of the world-renowned Cannes Film Festival, the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism joined hands with the Vietnam Association for the Promotion and Development of Cinema to host a seminar titled: “Vietnam – The Dynamic Market in Asia and the New Destination for Global Film Productions.” One of the hottest topics at the seminar was how to support international productions filming in Vietnam — with discussions on incentives, permits, and infrastructure.
TasteAtlas has recently listed Vietnamese sun-dried squid as one of the best dishes made of squid in the world.
French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse departed Hanoi on May 27 afternoon, concluding their state visit to Vietnam from May 25 to 27, made at the invitation of Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong. This marks the first visit to the Southeast Asian nation by a French President in nearly a decade, and the first high-level exchange between the two countries since the upgrade of bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in October 2024.
What began as a father’s handmade gift for his toddler has turned into an extraordinary journey of craftsmanship and creativity. Truong Van Dao, a Vietnamese carpenter with a passion for cars, has captivated global audiences by transforming blocks of wood into stunning, fully functional replicas of luxury vehicles — including Lamborghinis, Rolls-Royces, and even tanks. With over 20 wooden builds and a nod from Audi, Dao’s story is a powerful blend of tradition, innovation, and a father’s boundless love.
Golfer Le Chuc An has made history, becoming the first Vietnamese player named in the Rolex Women’s World Golf Rankings.
VinSpeed Joint Stock Company has officially registered to invest in Vietnam’s North–South high-speed railway project, proposing a total investment of 61.35 billion USD and pledging to begin construction before December, with full operations expected by December 2030.
Using the airbrush technique, Trinh Minh Tien skilfully recreated the image of Hanoi’s St. Joseph’s Cathedral reflected on a rain-covered car window — all on the surface of a car bonnet. Through Thuy Phu, the artist seeks to convey the Buddhist concept of impermanence, illustrating the ceaseless transformation of history through human-built architectural imprints.
The United Nations Day of Vesak 2025 took place from May 6-8 at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City.