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Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith (R) and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son of Vietnam during their meeting in Vientiane on December 17. (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

Laos prioritizes cementing special relationship with Vietnam

Laos gives top priority to enhancing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, reaffirmed top leaders of Laos during their separate meetings with Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son in Vientiane on December 17.

Receiving the Vietnamese diplomat, General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith highly appreciated the outcome of the recent 11th Political Consultation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Laos and Vietnam that outlined major future cooperation plans.

Accordingly, the two sides vowed to strive to create breakthroughs in economic, trade, and investment cooperation. They would continue working closely to effectively implement high-level agreements, and prepare well for the 47th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee.

Sisoulith commended bilateral cooperation and suggested both countries exchange experiences in preparing for their respective Party Congresses, focusing on Party building, political system development, socio-economic management, and international integration.

The General Secretary praised Vietnam’s support during Laos’ ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024, emphasizing that this success reflects the shared achievements of both states.

He expressed satisfaction that the two sides have been working closely to address challenges and obstacles in several key projects, contributing to Laos’ socio-economic development and further strengthening bilateral ties.

The leader also highlighted the role of regular consultations between the two foreign ministries in fostering strategic exchanges and advising their respective governments on foreign affairs, cited VOV.

Son for his part congratulated Laos on its significant development achievements, and expressed his belief that Laos will successfully organize its grassroots-level Party Congresses in the lead-up to the 12th National Party Congress, thereby building a prosperous and influential nation with a rising position regionally and globally.

He noted the recent high-level meetings between senior leaders of the two countries, emphasizing closer economic, trade, and investment cooperation, aiming to achieve US$2 billion in bilateral trade in 2024. He also acknowledged both sides’ efforts in addressing pending issues in key joint projects.

Meeting with the Vietnamese Deputy PM, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone reaffirmed that the Party, State, Government and people of Laos prioritise enhancing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam.

He noted the high level of political trust between the two countries, reflected in multiple bilateral engagements throughout 2024. He appreciated the Political Consultation mechanism between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, recognizing its contribution to bilateral ties and cooperation on regional and international issues.

The PM said he would direct relevant ministries and agencies of Laos to speed up the implementation of previously agreed high-level agreements and expressed hopes of welcoming Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chinh to co-chair the coming 47th Intergovernmental Committee meeting.

He shared that Laos is focusing on implementing Politburo Resolution No. 04 for fostering an independent and self-reliant economy. He sought Vietnam's insights on economic development and encouraged Vietnamese enterprises to invest across various sectors in Laos, contributing to the country’s socio-economic growth and improving the quality of life for its people.

Meanwhile, Son commended Laos’ successful ASEAN Chairmanship in 2024 and reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to implementing bilateral agreements and preparing for upcoming joint activities, including the 47th Vietnam – Laos Intergovernmental Committee meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son was paying a working visit to Laos, where he co-chaired the 11th Vietnam-Laos Foreign Ministerial Political Consultation with Lao Foreign Minister Thongsavanh Phomvihane in Vientiane on December 16.

Vietnam sees growing number of Chinese investors: forum

With sustained economic growth over years, Vietnam continues to impress and attract an increasing number of Chinese investors, participants said at an investment and trade forum between Ho Chi Minh City and China’s Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) in the southern economic hub on December 17.

Addressing the forum, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Vo Van Hoan highlighted the robust development of cooperation between Vietnam and China, particularly the GBA, across various fields, including economy, trade, investment, and tourism.

Vietnam is currently the largest trading partner of China in ASEAN and the fourth globally. Meanwhile, China is the biggest exporter of goods to Vietnam and ranks second among importers of Vietnamese commodities. It also took the lead in the number of new investment projects in the Southeast Asian country during the first seven months of 2024, registering 540 projects – equivalent to 29.7% of total new investments – worth 1.22 billion USD.

HCM City is now home to the most number of investment projects from China, 731, he noted.

The metropolis, with a projected GDP growth rate of 7.17% in 2024 and a population nearing 10 million, offers a vast and promising market for foreign businesses, including those from China, Hoan added.

Tran Thi Hai Yen, Director of the Investment Promotion Centre - South Vietnam under the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Foreign Investment Agency, also pointed out the appeal of Vietnam’s southern key economic region, centred around HCM City and neighboring provinces such as Dong Nai, Binh Duong, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau. Thanks to its strategic location, developed transport infrastructure, and abundant workforce, the region has become a magnet for foreign direct investment (FDI) in key sectors like industrial manufacturing, high technology, logistics, and renewable energy, according to VNA.

Representatives of Chinese businesses at the investment and trade forum between Ho Chi Minh City and China’s Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area (GBA) on December 17. (Photo: VNA)

Jonathan Choi, Chairman of the GBA Entrepreneurs Alliance, remarked that the visit by a delegation of 60 business leaders and experts from the alliance reflects Vietnam’s appeal as a dynamic investment destination.

Vietnam has become an important economic and trade partner for the GBA, he said, recommending both sides capitalise on the GBA's technological advantages and Vietnam's dynamic workforce to carry out more cooperation projects in areas such as artificial intelligence, advanced manufacturing, and green technology, to lead their economies toward a future of innovation and sustainable development.

Jesse Choi, a representative of the GBA Alliance in Vietnam, noted that beyond seeking business opportunities in Vietnam, the alliance is leveraging its strengths in technology, finance, manufacturing, and innovation to support Vietnamese businesses in accessing the Chinese market and fostering long-term partnerships.

Thailand is Vietnam’s largest trading partner in ASEAN

Thailand has maintained its position as Vietnam’s largest trading partner in ASEAN due to burgeoning trade, economic and investment activities between the two countries in recent times.

According to statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs, two-way trade turnover between Vietnam and Thailand reached US$16.6 billion in the first 10 months of 2024, representing a year-on-year rise of 5.1%. Thailand continued to be Vietnam's largest trading partner in ASEAN, accounting for 24% of Vietnam's trade turnover with the region.

Notably, Vietnam's trade deficit with Thailand has improved. In the first 10 months of 2024, Vietnam exported goods worth US$6.5 billion to Thailand and imported US$10.1 billion, reducing the trade deficit by 4.8% compared to the same period in 2023.

In 2024, the Vietnam Trade Office in Thailand worked hard to facilitate trade exchanges between the two countries. It supported dozens of Vietnamese businesses in engaging in the THAIFEX - Anuga Asia 2024 food and beverage exhibition in June; co-organized "Vietnam Goods Week" in Udon Thani Province, Northeast Thailand, in November; and co-hosted a forum on advanced human resource development in logistics and supply chain management in October with Thai partners, VOV reported.

Crude oil is one of Vietnam's major export products to Thailand. (Illustration)

To further support bilateral trade exchanges, the Vietnam Trade Office in Thailand says it will focus on establishing information-sharing channels between the two countries regarding trade defense policies and measures; and increasing engagements at various levels to promptly address challenges and provide consulting support for businesses navigating new market conditions.

It will strengthen economic cooperation between Vietnam’s central provinces and northeastern Thailand, which has a large Vietnamese expatriate community, and spur business connectivity in emerging fields such as green economy, digital economy, circular economy, and renewable energy.

Hanoi tightens airport health checks amid Congo mysterious disease outbreak

The Hanoi Center for Disease Control has been tightening health checks at the Noi Bai International Airport amid Congo mysterious disease outbreak.

The move aims to early detect any cases of infection or suspicion in order to take appropriate and timely response measures.

Previously, on December 12, the Department of Preventive Medicine under the Ministry of Health issued an urgent notice regarding cases of unknown disease in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) which were recorded by an infectious disease surveillance system on December 10.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), from October 24 to December 5, 2024, the Panzi health zone in Kwango province of the DRC reported 416 cases of unknown disease, with 31 fatalities marking a mortality rate of 7.6%. The disease’s symptoms include fever, headache, cough, runny nose, and muscle pain. Most cases are in children (53% of cases and 54.8% of deaths are under 5 years old). All severe cases were found to be severely malnourished.

Some countries in Asia and Southeast Asia also assess the risk of disease transmission from the DRC as low, given the very few travelers from that region and the absence of direct flights from the DRC, cited VNA.

Security personnel checks passengers' information at Noi Bai International Airport. (Photo: VNA)

WHO has supported the DRC in deploying rapid response teams, managing cases, collecting samples for pathogen testing, and conducting prevention and control activities in the outbreak areas. As of December 10, updated information from WHO indicated that 10 out of 12 initial test samples were positive for malaria.

Vietnam’s Department of Preventive Medicine has closely followed the developments of the disease outbreak in the DRC. It’s also coordinating with WHO and countries' related agencies to update and share information about the disease. In case of new developments, the department will collaborate with WHO and relevant units to assess risks and propose appropriate response measures, including strengthening health quarantine.

Vietnam becomes increasingly attractive to Australian tourists

Vietnam is one of the three most attractive destinations for Australian tourists, according to the Singapore-based asianaviation.com.

In October this year, 1.66 million Australians departed for international destinations, a year-on-year increase of 12.1 percent, reported the Australian Travel Industry Association (ATIA).

Of the figure, 567,330 Australians travelled to Japan, a remarkable growth of 73.8 percent from the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the number of Australian passengers to Vietnam soared by 35.4 percent to 423,630, followed by Indonesia up 26 percent (with 1,644,010), VGP reported.

Photo: VGP

ATIA Director of Membership and Industry Affairs Richard Taylor said destinations like Japan, Vietnam and Indonesia have witnessed unprecedented growth rates, indicating the evolving preferences of Australian travelers.

In 2023, some 150,000 Vietnamese visited Australia while the number of Australian travelers to Vietnam reached 390,000 compared to 383,000 tourists in 2019.

In the first five months of this year, Vietnam welcomed 213,000 Australian visitors, an increase of 35 percent year-on-year, making Australia the seventh largest source of tourists to the Southeast Asian nation.

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