| Vietnam News Today (Apr. 25) notable headlines EU considers Vietnam trusted, prioritized partner in Asia-Pacific: Ambassador Vietnam, China, ASEAN join hands for clean energy future at Hanoi exhibition Vietnam makes tremendous overall progress in past 50 years: Japanese politician Vietnam among top 15 countries worldwide in attracting FDI Vietnam brings cultural flair to Paris Fair 2025 JICA Vietnam: Building stronger connections between Vietnamese and Japanese partners Vietnam, Laos outline breakthrough measures to boost trade and economic ties Party chief affirms EU as key partner in Vietnam's foreign policy Thongloun Sisoulith chairs official welcome for Vietnamese State leader |
 |
| Party General Secretary To Lam (R) and EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier at their meeting in Hanoi on April 24. (Photo: VNA) |
EU considers Vietnam trusted, prioritized partner in Asia-Pacific: Ambassador
Vietnam is a trusted and prioritized partner of the European Union (EU) in the Asia-Pacific, affirmed EU Ambassador to Vietnam Julien Guerrier at a meeting with Party General Secretary To Lam in Hanoi on April 24.
At the meeting, the Party leader expressed his confidence that, with joint efforts, Vietnam – EU relations would continue to strengthen and advance to new heights. He underlined that the EU remains a top partner in Vietnam’s foreign policy and noted with satisfaction the dynamic and comprehensive growth of the bilateral ties across all areas since the establishment of diplomatic relations 35 years ago (1990–2025). The two sides are currently implementing four cooperation agreements and eight dialogue mechanisms, covering a broad spectrum from political-diplomatic affairs and trade-investment to defense and security.
In the context of the current complex global geopolitical and trade situation, Lam called for enhanced cooperation, political trust, and robust strategic dialogue. He recommended both sides work toward a roadmap to elevate the bilateral relations to a new level in a substantive and high-quality manner, ensuring mutual benefit for both sides. He also stressed the need to promote delegation exchanges and high-level contacts, while continuing to effectively implement the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) as a driver of trade and investment cooperation.
He affirmed Vietnam is pursuing a foreign policy of multilateralization and diversification, promoting equal, mutually beneficial partnerships with all countries and partners, including the EU and its member states, as well as fostering balanced and sustainable trade and investment toward the realization of common sustainable development objectives.
The Party chief welcomed the EU’s growing interest in cooperating with Vietnam in the fields of green transition, digital transformation, sustainable development, science and technology, innovation, renewable energy, sustainable transport infrastructure, defense industry, legal affairs, and human resources training, cited VNA.
He called on both sides to work closely to address trade-related challenges within the framework of the EVFTA and agreed on the importance of cooperation to enhance the effectiveness of EU development aid to Vietnam. Vietnam is committed to the goal of sustainable development, and all policies of the Party and State are designed to serve the people, the leader stressed.
Highlighting the importance of education and training cooperation, as well as people-to-people and youth exchanges, Lam proposed that both sides explore options to facilitate visa issuance for their citizens.
Regarding regional and international issues, the General Secretary affirmed that Vietnam is a peace-loving nation and a proactive, responsible member of the international community in addressing regional and global challenges.
Both sides agreed that Vietnam and the EU share a mutual interest in maintaining peace and stability in the region and the world for development. They stressed the importance of enhanced cooperation within the ASEAN–EU framework, while safeguarding peace and stability in the East Sea – a strategically vital region for global trade.
Guerrier praised Vietnam’s rising role and international standing, especially as the country enters a new era of development.
Echoing his host’s view on science, technology, and innovation as key drivers of growth and prosperity, he stated that the EU wants to support Vietnam in achieving its ambition to become a developed country by 2045, and to reach net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
Guerrier also highlighted the EU’s strong interest in deepening cooperation with Vietnam across the sectors of infrastructure, transport, renewable energy, aviation-aerospace, telecommunications, and green transition.
The diplomat said that both sides share a common interest in ensuring an uninterrupted international trade system and supply chain, maintaining sustained growth and prosperity of all nations involved.
Vietnam, China, ASEAN join hands for clean energy future at Hanoi exhibition
The Vietnam – China – ASEAN International Energy Forum & Exhibition 2025 (VCAE EXPO 2025) officially opened in Hanoi on April 24, featuring the theme “Vietnam – China – ASEAN energy cooperation towards low carbon emissions.”
The event is jointly organized by the Vietnam Energy Association and the China Electricity Council.
Alongside VCAE EXPO 2025, a series of specialized exhibitions are being held, including the Green Energy Technology and Power Equipment Exhibition, the Optical Storage and Charging Systems Exhibition, the Vietnam International Lighting Exhibition 2025 (VIEEXPO 2025), and the Vietnam International Electric Vehicle Industry Exhibition 2025 (EV VIETNAM 2025).
VCAE EXPO 2025 brings together leading brands presenting cutting-edge products and technologies in the power and green energy industries from Vietnam, China, and ASEAN countries.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nguyen Thai Son, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Energy Association, emphasized that the global energy transition is moving toward greener, cleaner solutions with reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuel sources such as coal, oil, and gas are becoming increasingly depleted and restricted under climate commitments.
He stressed that Vietnam’s energy sector must simultaneously pursue high growth and transition toward greener, cleaner energy in line with global trends. Under the country’s development orientation, renewable energy (excluding hydropower) is expected to account for 28–36% of the energy mix by 2030, with a target of 74–75% by 2050, according to VOV.
 |
| At the opening ceremony of the Vietnam – China – ASEAN International Energy Forum & Exhibition 2025. |
China, a frontrunner in clean and low-emission energy, is accelerating its shift to non-carbon sources while improving the use of fossil fuels to ensure energy security and meet stringent environmental standards. With renewable energy now making up over 40% of its total installed power capacity, China is among the global leaders in renewable development, particularly in solar energy, supported by a highly developed supply chain.
ASEAN member states are also setting ambitious goals for renewable energy growth, aiming to advance green and sustainable development in line with their respective strategies and potential.
In this context, there is growing demand for greater interconnection of power transmission grids and cross-border electricity trade between Vietnam and China as well as between Vietnam and ASEAN. This cooperation is not only urgent but also a long-term strategy to fully tap into each country's energy potential, enhance trade relations and regional cooperation.
The exhibition serves as a platform for enterprises to promote their brands and for investors and industry professionals to network, exchange information, and explore partnership and business opportunities.
Vietnam makes tremendous overall progress in past 50 years: Japanese politician
Vietnam has made tremendous overall progress over the past 50 years, said Kazuo Shii, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP).
Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s resident correspondents in Tokyo ahead of Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba's visit to Vietnam from April 27-29, the Japanese politician said that the path Vietnam has taken to engage with the outside world is the one of self-reliance, independence, and multilateral diplomacy. Vietnam remains steadfast in its independence and sovereignty. In its relations with other powers, Vietnam does not side with any nation. The country consistently pursues a policy of building friendly relations in all areas and is ready to become a friend with all countries. The JCP leader shared the same view on Vietnam's foreign policy of independence and multilateral diplomacy.
Since 1986, Vietnam has developed along a new path, known as Doi Moi (Renewal) policy. The JCP believes that the path of socialist-oriented market economic development is a reasonable and feasible choice.
Shii noted that thanks to this policy, Vietnam has achieved significant results, such as a sharp reduction in poverty, impressive economic growth and improvements in people’s living standards. This process has progressed significantly, and it can be said that Vietnam's position in the world has improved markedly, the Japanese politician said.
He held that the foreign policy of complete self-reliance and independence, multilateral diplomacy, and the internal policy of innovation have been the driving forces behind Vietnam's development over the past 50 years.
The politician noted that he first visited Vietnam in 2007 after becoming the JCP Chairman. He met with then Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, and both sides agreed to further enhance the relationship between the two parties.
In his first meeting with Manh, the two sides decided to organise a theoretical exchange activity. Holding this theoretical exchange over a long period has greatly contributed to mutual understanding and learning about theoretical and practical issues, Shii said, adding that he hoped this activity will be maintained, reported VNA.
 |
| Kazuo Shii, Chairman of the Central Committee of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP). (Photo: VNA) |
Later, Shii made three more visits to Vietnam in 2013, 2017, and 2023, during which he held meetings with then Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong.
In the past 20 years, the communist parties of Japan and Vietnam have developed strong relations and cooperation on many international issues, particularly in creating the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (TPNW). Japan is the only country to have suffered atomic bombings during wartime, while Vietnam has faced horrific damage from Agent Orange, with ongoing consequences.
Shii shared that during his recent visit to Vietnam, he visited a centre providing support to victims of Agent Orange. As both nations have endured weapons of mass destruction, the two countries are cooperating to create a world free of nuclear weapons. He expressed his appreciation for the cooperation between the two sides over the years.
Regarding peacebuilding in East Asia, Shii assessed that Vietnam plays an important role in ASEAN. Japan has repeatedly affirmed and promoted cooperation in line with the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP) in recent years, he noted.
Vietnam among top 15 countries worldwide in attracting FDI
Vietnam ranks among the top 15 countries worldwide in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI), according to the Ministry of Finance.
As of March this year, Vietnam had 42,760 valid foreign direct investment (FDI) projects, with a total registered capital of US$510 billion, Deputy Minister of Finance Do Thanh Trung told participants to the Vietnam Connect Forum 2025 which took place in Hanoi on April 23.
However, the high-tech sector only accounted for about 5 percent of the total FDI volume, far below expectations, he said.
Vietnam can no longer rely on cheap labor or low energy costs to remain competitive, he said, adding that the Southeast Asian nation needs to transition to a new phase of selective investment attraction, with a focus on high-tech projects that employ a skilled workforce and contribute to upgrading the value chain, cited VGP.
 |
| Photo: VGP |
According to a representative from the Ministry of Finance, a key pillar in enhancing the quality of FDI lies in the domestic workforce. Vietnamese workers in FDI enterprises are among the most elite labor sources. Notably, many Vietnamese professionals have taken on key positions in the management structures of foreign enterprises. This demonstrates that Vietnam offers a favorable and suitable environment for FDI businesses.
The Vietnamese government has identified institutional reform and administrative modernization as essential prerequisites. Efforts will be made to accelerate the reform of tax, customs, and investment-related administrative procedures, with a focus on automation, digitalization, transparency, and reducing compliance costs for businesses, told Do.
Vietnam brings cultural flair to Paris Fair 2025
The Vietnamese Cultural Center in France will introduce the country’s culture and tourism at the Paris Fair (Foire de Paris) 2025, set to take place from April 30 to May 11.
A wide range of traditional food and handicrafts will be showcased, alongside live performances of Vietnamese music and dance expected to draw large crowds.
Held annually since 1904, the Paris Fair attracts over 400,000 visitors each year and features the participation of more than 40 countries and territories, offering a window into diverse cultures from around the world, cited VOV.
 |
| Vietnamese booth makes a strong impression at Paris Fair 2024 (Photo: nhandan.vn) |
In recent years, Vietnam’s booths have left a lasting impression on international visitors with popular items such asas Banh Mi (Vietnamese baguette), tropical fruits like dragon fruit, pineapple and jackfruit, and various handcrafted goods.
The fair not only provides a valuable platform to promote Vietnamese specialties to French consumers but also serves to elevate the country’s profile by blending trade promotion with cultural exchange.
 | Vietnam News Today (Apr. 21): International Troops to March in Vietnam’s Reunification Day Parade Vietnam News Today (Apr. 21): Vietnam stays on course for 8% growth despite tariff risks; Mekong Delta boosts diverse types of tourism; Vietnamese cuisine highly ... |
 | Vietnam News Today (Apr. 22): Vietnam And Laos Promote Parliamentary Cooperation Vietnam News Today (Apr. 22): Vietnam and Laos promote parliamentary cooperation; Vietnam's reunification victory comes from collective strength; Vietnam emerges as preferred destination for Dubai ... |
