Vietnam News Today (Apr. 2): Vietnam – Destination for World Leaders Amid Global Trade Tensions

	Vietnam News Today (Mar. 31): King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium Begin State Visit to Vietnam
	Vietnam News Today (Apr. 1): Vietnam Values Multifaceted Cooperation With Belgium

Production activities at the Hai Phong branch of Toyoda Gosei Co., Ltd., located in Tien Hai Industrial Park, Tien Hai District, Thai Binh Province. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam – a destination for world leaders amid global trade tensions: Argentina newspaper

Argentina’s Infobae newspaper recently highlighted Vietnam’s growing appeal to world leaders amid escalating global trade tensions caused by new US tariff policies.

The article noted that Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva’s visit to Vietnam in March, followed by upcoming visits by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, French President Emmanuel Macron, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, underscores the increasing interest in Vietnam.

These visits reflect Vietnam’s status as one of Asia’s most dynamic economies, with an ambitious target of 8% growth in 2025. Specifically, new US tariff policies are prompting these leaders to come to Vietnam to strengthen trade and investment ties with Vietnam, mitigating the impact of the tariffs, cited VNA.

Infobae emphasized that Vietnam offers several advantages to foreign investors, including political stability, a competitive labour force, and a strategic location that facilitates access to the Chinese market. This positioning has made Vietnam an attractive alternative in global supply chains.

The article also highlighted Vietnam’s efforts to diversify trade through its participation in major free trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Regarding Spain, Infobae noted that Vietnam-Spain economic relations are shaped within the framework of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

Spanish Prime Minister Sánchez is expected to explore new business opportunities with Vietnam in renewable energy and infrastructure.

FDI fuels Vietnam’s high-tech manufacturing ambition

Foreign direct investment (FDI) not only promote sustainable economic growth but also serves as a "springboard" for Vietnam to emerge as a high-tech manufacturing hub in the region, driving the development of eco-friendly and smart industrial parks.

According to the General Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance, in the early months of 2025, total registered FDI in Vietnam exceeded US$7 billion, marking an impressive 35.5% increase year-on-year. This growth not only spur sustainable economic development but also paves the way for Vietnam to become a high-tech manufacturing center in the region, accompanied by the rise of eco-industrial and smart industrial parks.

Experts predict that FDI inflows into Vietnam will continue to surge, particularly in high-value manufacturing and technology sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, digital transformation, logistics, and pharmaceuticals. FDI disbursement in 2025 is expected to surpass US$30 billion.

Vietnam currently ranks among the top 15 developing nations attracting the most FDI globally. The cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese government and NVIDIA marks a significant milestone, providing an opportunity for Vietnam to become a leading AI research and development (R&D) hub in Asia.

"Investors clearly recognize Vietnam’s proactive steps in preparing to attract foreign investment projects. Essential conditions such as land, energy, and human resources are always ready. In particular, the nation aims to train 50,000 engineers and highly skilled workers in high technology and semiconductors. Additionally, the country is integrating into global supply and production chains to enhance its international standing. This will serve as a solid foundation for Vietnam to engage in economic and business production chains," stated Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Quoc Phuong.

According to the Hanoi Department of Finance, FDI is an essential resource for achieving the capital city’s economic growth target this year. The amended Capital Law, which took effect on January 1, 2025, has introduced new preferential mechanisms and attractive policies for investors.

"The city has incorporated special mechanisms in the Capital Law to attract investors. These include policies on land use fee exemptions, reductions in business-related taxes, and support for key industries of interest, such as semiconductor manufacturing and AI-integrated chip production. Incentives also extend to investments in clean agriculture and environmental improvement projects," said Le Trung Hieu, deputy director of the Hanoi Department of Finance.

The wave of investment in high-tech projects and R&D centers has also driven demand for infrastructure and industrial facilities, propelling growth in the industrial real estate sector, according to VOV.

FDI inflows into Vietnam to remain strong, especially in high-tech manufacturing.

Between 2024 and 2027, Vietnam is projected to have approximately 15,200 hectares of new industrial land supply and over 6 million square meters of warehouse space. The industrial real estate sector is expected to sustain its growth momentum, with companies that own large land reserves and benefit from convenient transportation infrastructure gaining the upper hand.

Amid the strong FDI inflows, leading industrial real estate firms are competing to expand their land banks and develop green and smart industrial parks integrated with eco-urban areas. Notable industry players such as SIP, Kinh Bac, and IDICO are also actively expanding their land reserves and developing industrial parks.

Entering 2025, the industrial real estate sector is on track for robust growth, propelled by supportive policies and market demand. Experts predict a surge in sales among developers as both supply and demand for new industrial land rise.

Pham Hong Diep, chairman of the board of directors at Shinec JSC, the investor of Nam Cau Kien Industrial Park in Hai Phong, underscored the the need for a synchronized framework to encourage investors, both FDI and domestic direct investment (DDI), to collaborate in building a circular economy and fostering symbiotic business ecosystems within industrial parks, ultimately leading to the success of eco-industrial zones.

The shift in foreign investment into Vietnam is increasingly targeting high-tech and foundational technology sectors. Alongside the expansion of green and eco-industrial parks, this trend is expected to elevate Vietnam’s position in the global value chain in the new era.

PM hopes for stronger Vietnam-Belgium cooperation across all fields

Vietnam and Belgium should foster deeper cooperation in areas of one's strength and the other's needs such as high technology, circular economy, and strategic infrastructure, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stated at a meeting with visiting Belgian King Philippe in Hanoi on April 1.

The meeting underscored the deepening diplomatic and economic relations between Vietnam and Belgium, which have strengthened since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1973.

The PM expressed gratitude for Belgium’s continued development support for Vietnam and urged further concrete initiatives, including the implementation of the Belgian parliamentary resolution adopted in October 2023, which provides assistance to Vietnamese victims of Agent Orange/dioxin.

He urged Belgium to expedite the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and to push the European Commission to lift its yellow card warning on Vietnam’s seafood exports.

Welcoming the first state visit by the Belgian King and Queen as well as the country's high-level delegation since the two countries set up their diplomatic relations in 1973, PM Chinh noted the positive outcomes of his official visit to Belgium in December 2022.

He expressed optimism that the King's visit will provide fresh impetus for strengthening bilateral relations, deepening political trust, and fostering comprehensive cooperation, for the sake of the two countries' people, and for peace and stability in the region and the world.

King Philippe highly valued the Vietnamese Government's support to the Vietnam-Belgian ties, and expressed his impression of Vietnam's socio-economic growth over the years. He showed his confidence in the country’s ability to meet its ambitious development targets for 2030 and 2045, reported VNA.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) welcomes visiting Belgian King Philippe in Hanoi on April 1 (Photo: VNA)

The two sides shared their delight at the fruitful development of the Vietnam-Belgium friendship and multifaceted cooperation over the past more than five decades. They agreed on the necessity of expanding cooperation in key areas such as trade, culture, art, tourism, and locality-to-locality cooperation, along with active implementation of the bilateral strategic partnership in agriculture to deal with non-traditional challenges such as climate change, natural disasters, and epidemics.

King Philippe recognized Vietnam’s strategic significance in the region and highlighted Belgium’s interest in enhancing cooperation in education, health care, seaport development, renewable energy, science-technology, and innovation. He also underscored Belgium’s support for businesses of both sides in bolstering investment and trade activities in respective countries.

The two sides concurred to increase delegation exchanges and engagements at all levels across Party, Government, and parliamentary channels. They committed to strengthening inter-ministerial cooperation, maximizing the effectiveness of existing bilateral mechanisms, and facilitating greater people-to-people exchanges. They also acknowledged the crucial role of the Vietnamese community in Belgium and the Belgian community in Vietnam in fostering deeper bilateral ties.

The leaders held that Vietnam and Belgium should work closely together at international and regional forums to promote multilateralism, uphold international law, and address global challenges.

Regarding the East Sea issue, they reiterated the importance of maintaining safety, security, freedom of navigation and overflight in the area, and settling disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

PM Chinh took this occasion to send his invitation to Belgian PM Bart De Wever to visit Vietnam to continue promoting bilateral cooperation.

Burundian President to pay official visit to Vietnam next week

Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye and his spouse will pay an official visit to Vietnam from April 3-6.

The visit will be made at the invitation of Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and his spouse, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Vietnam and Burundi established diplomatic relations on July 16, 1975, and bilateral ties have shown positive development in recent years.

At the meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye in New York on September 22, 2023 as part of his trip to attend the high-level week of the 78th UN General Assembly, Vietnam always attaches importance to promoting friendship and cooperation with African countries, including Burundi.

Pham proposed Burundi create more favorable conditions for Vietnamese firms to operate in the African nation, and suggested both countries enhance delegation exchanges, promote cooperation mechanisms, and bolster trade exchanges as well as agricultural collaboration, VGP reported.

Burundian President Evariste Ndayishimiye.

President Ndayishimiye, for his part, said Burundi always treasures the development of relations with Vietnam, a potential partner in Southeast Asia.

He agreed with the Vietnamese leader's recommendations to boost the bilateral ties in the time ahead, with a focus given to investment-trade cooperation.

Both leaders reached consensus on enhancing cooperation and supporting each other at multilateral forums as well as promoting their roles as bridges to enhance cooperation with ASEAN, and the African Union (AU) as well as between the two regional blocs.

Rich cultural heritage of Vietnam’s ethnic groups brought to life

The Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism, will host a string of events under the theme “Cultural colors of Vietnam’s ethnic groups.” from April 1 to May 4.

The event’s highlight will be the reenactment of traditional festivals, offering visitors a rare glimpse into the spiritual and cultural life of ethnic communities. Among them is the Mang ma festival of the Xinh Mun ethnic group, a sacred ritual to pray for health and peace, and the Tet mua mưa (Rainy Season Festival) of the Ha Nhi people, held in the fifth lunar month to invoke favorable weather.

Visitors can also experience the vibrant atmosphere of mountainous markets from the northwestern and northeastern regions, where ethnic groups such as the Xinh Mun, Ha Nhi, and Mong will showcase their unique cultural spaces, traditional cuisine, specialties, folk performances, and games.

Photo: VOV

Adding to the immersive experience, visitors will be treated to performances of Then singing and the melodious tunes of Dan Tinh, a traditional stringed instrument played by the Tay and Nung ethnic communities in Cao Bang province.

A special highlight of the festival will be an art program on April 6, held to commemorate Hung Kings' Commemoration Day, honoring Vietnam’s legendary ancestors.

The festival is part of the celebrations for Vietnamese Ethnic Groups' Culture Day (April 19), aiming to preserve and promote the cultural values of Vietnam’s diverse ethnic communities while offering visitors a deeper appreciation of their traditions.

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