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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son of Vietnam.

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son to visit China

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son will visit China and co-chair the 16th meeting of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation in Beijing from December 8 to 11, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The invitation has been extended by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi.

This visit comes as Vietnam-China relations have seen significant and comprehensive positive developments. Notably, the two countries agreed to build a Vietnam-China community with a shared future of strategic significance in December 2023.

Bilateral political and diplomatic relations have been strengthened through regular high-level exchanges and interactions across various levels. Two-way trade between the two countries has grown vigorously in recent times, reaching US$168.5 billion in the first 10 months of 2024, a year-on-year increase of over 21%. China is Vietnam’s second largest foreign investor, cited VOV.

Tourism has also seen strong recovery, with three million Chinese tourists visiting Vietnam this year, making China the second largest source of international visitors to the country.

During his visit, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi will co-chair the plenary session of the Vietnam-China Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation. They will discuss major measures to further strengthen ties, promote cooperation among ministries, sectors, and localities, and prepare for the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the Vietnam-China Year of Cultural and People-to-People Exchanges in 2025.

The Deputy Prime Minister will also engage in several other significant activities in China.

Vietnam, India strengthen security cooperation

Politburo member and Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang met with visiting Indian Deputy National Security Advisor Pavan Kapoor in Hanoi on December 5.

Pavan Kapoor is in Hanoi for a working visit and the third Vietnam-India security dialogue at deputy ministerial level.

During the meeting, Quang emphasised the growing Vietnam–India comprehensive strategic partnership with solid foundations and strong political trust. He highlighted the critical role of security cooperation as a pillar of bilateral relations, contributing to the stability and development of both nations.

Vietnam's Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and India's National Security Council (NSC) have regularly maintained high-level delegation exchanges, shared strategic information on issues of mutual concern, strengthened cooperation in preventing and combating transnational crime, and coordinated training to improve capacity, he said.

The minister praised the fruitful outcomes of the third Vietnam–India security dialogue, noting it as a vital opportunity to concretise cooperation initiatives, contributing to deepening the strategic ties between the two countries and enhancing collaboration between the MPS and the NSC.

Quang proposed the two sides continue supporting each other on regional and international issues; increasing high-level delegation exchanges to implement bilateral policies effectively; enhancing information sharing on global and regional matters of mutual concern through multilateral and bilateral mechanisms.

The two sides should expand collaboration in combating transnational crimes, including cybercrime, terrorism, human trafficking, economic and drug-related crimes, he added.

He also emphasised the importance of ensuring security and safety for citizens of both nations living, working, and traveling in each other’s territories, as well as the safety of high-level visits, negotiating and finalizing cooperation agreements on combating transnational crimes, such as cybercrime, drug and human trafficking, according to VNA.

Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang (right) meets with visiting Indian Deputy National Security Advisor Pavan Kapoor in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

He said that Vietnam wishes India will play a more proactive role in the Indo-Pacific region through multilateral mechanisms and policies like the "Act East" policy and the "Indo-Pacific Initiative." He also called on the NSC to continue supporting the MPS in capacity-building efforts through scholarships, training programmes, and technological upgrades.

For his part, Kapoor commended the achievements of the Vietnam–India security dialogue, saying that through sustained mechanisms like this dialogue, the two countries have effectively collaborated to safeguard national security and keep social order and safety in each country, as well as address regional and global challenges.

He affirmed the NSC’s commitment to deepening security cooperation with the MPS, particularly under the framework of the Plan of Action for the implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the 2024–2028 period.

Vietnam and NVIDIA ink AI cooperation document

The Government of Vietnam and NVIDIA, a leading American tech giant, have signed a cooperation document to establish Vietnam Research and Development Center (VRDC) for Artificial Intelligence (AI) and an AI Data Center in Vietnam.

The document was signed in Hanoi on December 5 between Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung of Vietnam and NVIDIA’s Executive Vice President of Worldwide Field Operations Jay Puri. The signing ceremony was witnessed by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and NVIDIA Chairman Jensen Huang, who is in Vietnam on a working trip.

This agreement follows the earlier partnership reached during Jensen Huang’s second visit to Vietnam, solidifying NVIDIA’s commitment to supporting the country’s innovation ecosystem.

The partnership agreement is not only a strategic move for NVIDIA’s development but also a significant milestone positioning Vietnam as a leading AI research and development hub in Asia. Such cooperation is expected to create breakthroughs in key technological sectors while opening career opportunities for domestic talent.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Dung emphasized that innovation is a priority area for the Vietnamese Government, seen as a cornerstone of the country’s development strategy, VOV reported.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung of Vietnam and NVIDIA’s Executive Vice President of Worldwide Field Operations Jay Puri sign the cooperation document in the presence of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and NVIDIA Chairman Jensen Huang, in Hanoi on December 5. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam is committed to providing the most favorable environment for global tech giants like NVIDIA to implement research and development projects in the country, he said.

According to the minister, this cooperation reinforces Vietnam’s ambition to become a major player in the global AI ecosystem, paving the way for innovation-driven growth and fostering a strong partnership with one of the world’s leading technology companies.

The Vietnam Research and Development Center and the AI Data Center will serve as pivotal platforms enabling NVIDIA and its domestic partners to advance research, development, and deployment of cutting-edge AI technologies. These centers will play a crucial role in supporting AI research initiatives, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, and generating employment opportunities for Vietnam’s skilled workforce.

Vietnam is regarded as a nation with immense potential for developing and applying AI, thanks to its young, dynamic, and tech-savvy human resources. The Government has prioritized AI as a key sector in its national development strategy. The cooperation agreement between Vietnam and NVIDIA promises to drive the growth of AI in the country and the region.

The new infrastructure provided through the VRDC and AI Data Center is expected to bolster Vietnam’s national AI strategy, laying the groundwork for cultivating and developing AI talent using NVIDIA’s advanced AI technologies. This initiative will help Vietnam enhance research, development, and the application of AI across key industries such as health care, education, transportation, and finance.

The Prime Minister has issued a program on human resource development for the semiconductor industry by 2030, with orientation toward 2050. This program aims to train 50,000 engineers for the semiconductor industry by 2030, including at least 5,000 specialized professionals with deep expertise in artificial intelligence.

Prime Minister Ishiba highlights Vietnam’s potential for regional leadership

Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru has expressed confidence in Vietnam’s ability to become a leading nation in Asia, highlighting the strong ties between the two countries during a meeting with National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

On the afternoon of December 5, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man held discussions with Japanese Prime Minister Ishiba Shigeru.

Chairman Tran Thanh Man affirmed Vietnam's view of Japan as one of its foremost and long-term strategic partners. He emphasized Vietnam's support for Japan's active role in promoting peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and beyond.

Prime Minister Ishiba highlighted the robust relationship between Vietnam and Japan, underpinned by strong ties among their top leaders. Reflecting on his visit to Vietnam 35 years ago, he expressed optimism about Vietnam's continued development and its potential to become a leading nation in Asia.

During their meeting, the two sides agreed to enhance collaboration in human resource development, including labor cooperation, high-quality workforce training, and people-to-people exchanges. Vietnam committed to sending more workers to Japan to help address Japan's aging population.

Both leaders agreed to facilitate opportunities for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in Japan, VNN reported.

Vietnamese and Japanese legislative leaders exchange cooperation agreements. Photo: VNA.

Chairman Tran Thanh Man requested Japan's continued support for Vietnam's industrialization and modernization efforts. He encouraged Japan to expand its investments in key sectors such as infrastructure, clean energy, renewable energy, high-tech agriculture, green transition, digital transformation, data centers, and semiconductors.

Vietnam also sought Japan's assistance in integrating into the global semiconductor supply chain and expediting new-generation Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects.

In a separate meeting, Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Japanese Senate President Sekiguchi Masakazu discussed measures to deepen bilateral relations.

Chairman Tran Thanh Man noted that relations between the two countries are at their strongest, marked by high political trust and close exchanges at all levels. President Sekiguchi expressed confidence that this year marks the beginning of a new chapter in their 50-year partnership. He affirmed the Japanese Senate’s commitment to furthering bilateral cooperation.

The two leaders expressed satisfaction with the substantial achievements in economic, trade, labor, cultural, and human resource exchanges, as well as local-level cooperation. Japan remains Vietnam’s largest ODA donor, second-largest labor cooperation partner, third-largest investor, third-largest tourism partner, and fourth-largest trading partner.

Chairman Tran Thanh Man welcomed Japan’s new policies on foreign labor, including the introduction of a “training-work” system to replace the previous “skills internship” program. He encouraged Japan to expand occupational categories and increase the intake of Vietnamese trainees.

The leaders also underscored the importance of parliamentary cooperation as a key pillar of bilateral relations. The National Assembly of Vietnam and the Japanese Senate signed a cooperation agreement to enhance legislative collaboration both bilaterally and multilaterally.

Both sides agreed to strengthen exchanges among legislators, particularly young and female parliamentarians, and to capitalize on the Friendship Parliamentary Alliance as a bridge to promote people-to-people exchanges, business cooperation, and local partnerships.

They also committed to supporting each other at multilateral forums and mechanisms to foster mutual interests and shared goals.

Lao national defense ministry continues to cultivate Laos-Vietnam special relationship

Lao Minister of National Defense Khamlieng Uthakaysone on December 5 said that his ministry will continue to cultivate the Laos-Vietnam special relationship when he received a delegation of the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos led by Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam.

The Vietnamese delegation came to congratulate Uthakaysone on his appointment as Minister of National Defense and extend greetings on the occasion of Laos' 49th National Day (December 2, 1975 - 2024).

Lao Minister of National Defence Khamlieng Uthakaysone receives a delegation of the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos led by Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam. (Photo: VNA)

The minister expressed his profound thanks to the Vietnamese Party, State, military, and people for their wholehearted, effective and timely support and assistance given to their Lao counterparts during the struggle for national liberation in the past as well as the current national construction and Defense. He also expressed his delight to see positive results of the two countries’ relations, particularly between their Defense ministries.

He vowed to work closely with the Vietnamese Embassy and Defense Attaché to effectively implement agreements reached by high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and the two countries, as well as the protocols and cooperation plans between the two ministries.

For his part, Tam praised Laos for its recent accomplishments and expressed optimism about its better future under the leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, cited VNA.

Highlighting the robust cooperation between the two Defense ministries, Tam described it as a cornerstone of bilateral relations, contributing to maintaining stability, security, and development in both countries.

He called for continued collaboration in information sharing, experience exchange, training, and combating cross-border crimes and hostile forces.

He said the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos will remain a strong bridge to advance the partnership between the two ministries and nurture the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and States.

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