Vietnam News Today (Dec. 19): Vietnam, China Step Up Development Cooperation

	Vietnam News Today (Dec. 17): Vietnam’s GDP Growth Poised For Robust Growth in 2024
	Vietnam News Today (Dec. 18): Laos Prioritizes Cementing Special Relationship With Vietnam

Vietnam is positioned 12th in the regional ranking. (Photo: Seasia Stats)

Vietnam among Asia’s 15 largest economies

The statistical visualisation platform Seasia Stats recently ranked Vietnam among the top 15 economies in Asia, with projected economic output reaching some 506 billion USD in 2025.

Seasia Stats highlighted Vietnam’s rapid development driven by explosive manufacturing growth and foreign investment.

While China remains the continent's largest economy, followed by Japan and India, Vietnam has distinguished itself as a rising economic force in Southeast Asia. The country, positioned 12th in the regional ranking, is projected to achieve 7% economic growth in 2024, a remarkable rate that makes it among the fastest-growing economies in the region and the world.

Indonesia leads the Southeast Asian region with an anticipated economic size of 1.5 trillion USD in 2025, buoyed by rich natural resources and a rapidly expanding middle class, cited VNA.

Singapore, at the ninth place, has been renowned for its financial services sector and strategic geographical position. The country’s economic output is projected at 562 billion USD.

Thailand and the Philippines came next, with projected economic sizes of 545 billion USD and 508 billion USD, respectively. These nations benefit from diverse economic drivers, including tourism, manufacturing, and a dynamic young workforce.

Other regional peers in the top 15, standing behind Vietnam, are Malaysia, Bangladesh and Iran.

Deputy Minister hails Vietnam – Italy defense cooperation

Defense cooperation between Vietnam and Italy has been promoted, achieving positive results in areas such as training and defense industry, especially following the fourth Defense Policy Dialogue in July 2023, said Deputy Minister of National Defense Hoang Xuan Chien.

Senior Lieutenant General Chien was speaking during his reception in Hanoi on December 18 with Matteo Perego di Cremnago, Undersecretary of State for Defense of Italy, who is in Hanoi for the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition 2024.

He noted with satisfaction the growing ties across areas between Vietnam and Italy in recent times, with national defense considered an important area of cooperation, according to VOV.

Senior Lieutenant General Chien, Deputy Minister of National Defense of Vietnam, receives Matteo Perego di Cremnago, Undersecretary of State for Defense of Italy, in Hanoi on December 18. (Photo: PANO)

Chien proposed that in the coming period the defense ministries of both countries should continue to focus on enhancing cooperation in areas such as visit exchanges, training, and UN peacekeeping operations, while maximizing the effectiveness of consultation and dialogue mechanisms.

He stressed the need to examine opportunities for enhancing defense industry cooperation, and addressing war consequences, cybersecurity, military medicine, and other areas based on each side’s needs and conditions.

Cremnago for his part congratulated the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam on the 80th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam People’s Army and wished the 2024 Vietnam International Defense Exhibition great success.

He expressed his belief that through this meeting, defense cooperation between the two countries’ defense ministries would continue to develop effectively and practically.

The Undersecretary agreed with Chien’s proposals and committed to actively cooperating with the Ministry of National Defense of Vietnam in realizing the agreements.

Vietnam is scheduled to host the International Defense Expo 2024 from December 19-22.

Vietnam becomes more attractive to int’l tourists during New Year holiday 2025

Vietnam is becoming a popular destination for celebrating the New Year's Eve 2025, with a 30 percent increase in accommodation searches compared to last year.

Statistics of the online travel platform Agoda from November 1-27 showed that tourists from Vietnam's top source markets such as South Korea, Japan, Thailand, Taiwan, and the U.S. are choosing Vietnam to bid farewell to the old year, with popular destinations such as Ho Chi Minh City and Phu Quoc Island in the southern province of Kien Giang.

Ho Chi Minh City maintains its position as the most sought destination, where visitors can enjoy the dazzling fireworks display along the Saigon River to welcome the year 2025, VGP reported.

Ho Chi Minh City maintains its position as Viet Nam's most sought-after destination for celebrating the New Year's Eve.

Phu Quoc Island rises to second place, up three spots compared to last year. Familiar destinations like Da Nang, Ha Noi, and Nha Trang are also among the top five most popular destinations for international tourists.

Meanwhile, Bangkok, Chinese Taipei, Tokyo, Singapore, and Hong Kong are the most sought-after international destinations by Vietnamese tourists during the New Year's holiday.

According to the latest report from the General Statistics Office, international arrivals totaled in the first 11 months of 2024 reached more than 15.8 million, marking a 41.0 per cent increase year-on-year, bringing the country closer to its goal of welcoming 17-18 million international tourists set earlier this year.

Vietnam now waives visas for travelers from 25 countries, with 13 enjoying unilateral exemption.

Since August 2023, Vietnam has issued e-visas for all nationalities and extended their maximum stay from 30 to 90 days, with unlimited entries. Those who get visa waivers under Vietnam's unilateral exemption policy can now stay for 45 days rather than the earlier 15.

Experts have described the visa policies as a tool to sharpen the competitiveness of the domestic tourism industry. Thanks to them, Vietnam has become friendlier in the eyes of foreign holidaymakers.

Vietnam, China step up development cooperation

The pilot of smart border gate, cooperation in vocational training, and social development assistance programmes for northern Vietnamese provinces were on the table at the talks held in the northern province of Lang Son on December 18 to bolster Vietnam – China development cooperation.

Providing updates on the construction of a smart border at the Huu Nghi (Vietnam) – Youyi Guan (China) border gate pair, Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Doan Thanh Son said following the signing of the frame agreement between the Lang Son provincial People's Committee and the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region's administration last year, the province is expediting the extension of the specialised import-export goods lane from four to eight and carrying out procedures to expand it to 14 lanes, making it in harmony with Chinese infrastructure.

Vice Governor of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region Liao Pinhu underscored that the smart border gate represents a mutual aspiration for both countries, stating the Chinese side will join hands with Lang Son province to implement the project. To date, China has completed critical infrastructure, including cargo handling areas and IT systems, cited VNA.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment and the CIDCA sign a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance the pilot of the smart border gate. (Photo: VNA)

China stands ready to support the Vietnamese province with planning and development of smart systems and infrastructure, he added.

Regarding bilateral cooperation in vocational training (Lu Ban class), the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development is working with competent sides to facilitate educational exchanges. It asked for the Chinese Ambassador's assistance to resolve procedural differences.

Additionally, Vietnam proposed four social development projects in Bac Kan, Tuyen Quang, and Yen Bai provinces, focusing on transport infrastructure and education improvements. The Chinese Embassy in Vietnam is currently reviewing these proposals.

In conclusion, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong, head of the Vietnamese delegation, highlighted the high level of mutual determination to expedite the cooperation initiatives, particularly the pilot project on the smart border gate.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the China International Development Cooperation Agency (CIDCA) Luo Zhaohui expressed his delight at the cooperation between the two countries over the recent past, stressing the common perceptions in establishing a collaboration mechanism to promote the pilot of the smart border gate.

On the occasion, the Ministry of Planning and Investment and the CIDCA signed a Memorandum of Understanding to enhance the pilot project.

Vietnam named among Top 40 most beautiful countries in the world

Vietnam has been featured on the list of the Top 40 most beautiful countries in the world, as compiled by media company US News & World Report.

Boasting fantastic caves, imperial landmarks, and emerald island coves, the country scored 26.6 points, ranking 36th on the list.

Ban Gioc waterfall is among famous spots of sightseeing in Vietnam.

Vietnam came in behind its Southeast Asian neighbors such as Thailand at 6th, Indonesia at 27th, Malaysia at 32nd, Singapore at 33rd, and the Philippines at 34th.

The country was placed higher than Sri Lanka at 37th, Dominican Republic at 38th, Colombia at 39th, and Luxembourg at 40th.

Greece took the lead, alongside four other countries - New Zealand, Italy, Switzerland, and Spain – in the top 5.

US News & World Report was founded as a weekly news magazine in 1933. It is known for its annual lists of rankings in various topics and based on survey results of nearly 17,000 people from 36 countries and territories worldwide.

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