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Deputy PM Bui Thanh Son (R) meets with UAE Minister of Investment Mohamed Alsuwaidi in Hanoi on February 8. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam hopes to enhance comprehensive partnership with UAE: Deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son proposed the UAE consider establishing a transit and storage centre for crude oil and petrochemical products in Vietnam, and support the Southeast Asian nation in green transition and renewable energy initiatives.

Welcoming his guest’s appointment as the UAE minister in charge of bilateral cooperation, Son spoke highly of Alsuwaidi’s visit as well as the field trips to Vietnam by major corporations from the Middle Eastern country to study investment opportunities here. He described them as concrete activities to carry out the commitments between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and UAE leaders during the former’s trip to the country in October last year.

Alsuwaidi, for his part, welcomed his host's coming visit to the UAE and participation in the World Government Summit 2025 which will take place in the country from February 11-13, an influential UAE initiative that brings together government leaders, major corporations, and scholars to discuss future governance and technological innovation. He said he hopes that the two sides will exchange viewpoints and agree upon their significant cooperation areas during Son’s visit.

The minister went on to express the UAE's strong interest in such sectors as high technology, AI, energy, and logistics. He lauded Vietnam’s investment climate, noting growing interest from UAE investors and investment funds in the country, with several potential collaborative projects under discussion between the two sides, cited VNA.

Deputy PM Son said the sectors mentioned above are also Vietnam's priorities, asking for the UAE's continued coordination in high-tech, AI, and database centre projects as well as the acceleration of digital transformation.

He also proposed the UAE consider establishing a transit and storage center for crude oil and petrochemical products in Vietnam, and support the Southeast Asian nation in green transition and renewable energy initiatives.

Touching on trade and logistics, Son asked the two sides to speed up the ratification and effectively implement the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement, aiming to boost bilateral trade to 20 billion USD as agreed by the high-level leaders of the two countries.

Vietnam, he said, is interested in building international financial centers and free trade zones, and it seeks to leverage the UAE’s expertise as a leading regional financial hub. Besides, seaport development is an area that Vietnam is focusing on.

At the meeting, the two parties reached consensus to advance cooperation in several key projects, including the UAE's investment in a youth football academy for the Hanoi Police Football Club and agricultural investments to enhance the UAE's food security through rice cultivation in Vietnam.

Temperatures plunge as strong cold grips across northern localities

Waves of intense cold continued to sweep over northern and north-central Vietnam on February 9, sending temperatures plunging to below 10°C or even 2°C.

In the border province of Lang Son, Mau Son peak, standing at 1,600 meters, is the first and most powerful place to welcome the cold winds in the northern region. Temperatures there dropped to 1°C from February 8 till February 9 morning.

People in other highland areas like Pha Din, Moc Chau, Sa Pa, Dong Van, and Tam Dao also felt bitter chill as temperatures nosedived to 4-5°C, according to VOV.

The strong cold spell sweeps across Son La, a highland province in northern Vietnam.

In the Red River Delta, temperatures on February 9 dropped to 10-12°C. In Hanoi, all five weather stations in Ba Vi, Son Tay, Hoai Duc, Ha Dong, and Lang recorded temperatures of 12°C.

Unlike previous cold spells, this one features cloudy skies during the day, with temperatures in the lowlands reaching a maximum of 16-18°C, making the cold persistent throughout both day and night.

This is one of the coldest spells of the winter season so far.

Meteorologists say the strong cold spell is expected to last until around February 10, and temperatures tend to rise again. People will still feel chill at night and in the early morning.

Notably, northern localities will experience light rain, drizzle, and fog during the night and morning, starting on February 12.

Nguyen Van Huong, head of the Weather Forecast Department at the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, reminds that from the end of February to April, northern provinces will enter the period of drizzle, humid, and damp weather, typical of the spring season.

During this time, he says, the region will experience high humidity, with frequent drizzle and fog, especially in the early mornings and evenings. Temperatures usually range from 16-22°C, which can feel quite cold and damp.

According to the meteorologist, these humid periods typically last 3-5 days each, and sometimes up to a week. They end or change when the northeast monsoon arrives.

Vietnam showcases products at Germany consumer goods trade fair

Vietnam has been participating in Ambiente, the world's leading trade fair for consumer goods, handicrafts, and interior decorations, for over 20 years.

Sixty-five Vietnamese companies are displaying their products at Ambiente 2025, the world's leading trade fair for consumer goods, handicrafts, and interior decorations, in Germany.

The fair, taking place in Frankfurt, Hesse, from February 7-11, attracts 4,660 businesses from nearly 170 countries and territories.

In addition to showcasing products and solutions for living spaces with various design styles, Ambiente 2025 also emphasises sustainability, future retail trends, and the expansion of marketing through digital technology.

To participate in the platform, businesses must not only comply with local regulations and German law but also ensure that their products meet quality and consumer safety standards. Factors such as hygiene and environmental conditions are mandatory requirements.

Over the years of participation, major Vietnamese brands, such as Minh Long and Manh Dan Ceramics, have made a strong impression and established their presence at the fair in particular, as well as in the German and broader European Union (EU) markets, VNA reported.

Sixty-five Vietnamese companies are displaying their products at Ambiente 2025. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnamese businesses hope to tap further into potential markets by thoroughly researching the German market and the European market in general, to gain a deeper understanding of consumer preferences and demands.

Le Ba Ngoc, Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the Vietnam Handicraft Exporters Association, told the Vietnam News Agency that Vietnam has been participating in the Ambiente fair for over 20 years.

In 2024, Vietnam's handicraft export turnover reached 2.95 billion USD, with the European market accounting for about 27%. Also in the year, a Vietnamese company secured an order worth over 1 million USD.

With 65 businesses participating in this year's Ambiente, Vietnam aims to achieve 5 billion USD in handicraft export revenue in 2025, he said.

Foreign investment flows into Vietnam soared in January

Vietnam recorded impressive growth in foreign direct investment (FDI) flows in the first month of 2025.

The newly registered, adjusted capital, capital contributions, and shares acquired by foreign investors reached over US$4.3 billion, marking a nearly 49 per cent increase year-on-year, according to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

In January, foreign investors poured capital into 16 out of 21 economic sectors of Vietnam.

Among them, the manufacturing and processing industry remained the most attractive sector, receiving over US$3 billion. It accounts for 71 per cent of total registered capital, nearly doubling compared to the same period last year.

Real estate ranked second with nearly US$1.1 billion, making up 24 per cent of total registered capital, though it that was a decline of six per cent year-on-year.

Other sectors, including science and technology, water supply and waste treatment, also attracted tens of millions of dollars in FDI.

In the first month of the year, 55 countries and territories registered investments in Vietnam, VNN reported.

A mobile phone assembly line at Samsung Vietnam. Photo: vneconomy.vn

South Korea emerged as the top investor with US$1.25 billion, 13 times higher than the same period last year, accounting for nearly 29 per cent of total registered investment.

Singapore followed closely with US$1.24 billion. Japan and China were also among the major investors.

Bac Ninh Province attracted the highest FDI, with around US$1.4 billion in January alone, surging nearly sixfold year-on-year.

Dong Nai ranked second with US$959 million, more than tripling its previous year’s figure. Hanoi placed third, registering US$716 million in FDI, up two per cent year-on-year.

Meanwhile, HCM City led in the number of new projects, capital adjustments, capital contributions and share acquisition transactions.

In addition, foreign-invested projects in January were estimated to have disbursed more than US$1.5 billion, a two per cent increase year-on-year.

The FDI sector exported nearly US$23 billion (including crude oil) in January, accounting for 70 per cent of the country's total export turnover, despite a nine per cent decline year-on-year. Imports by this sector reached US$19 billion, down by 1 per cent.

Vietnam Coffee Roasting Competition 2025 launched

The Vietnam Coffee Roasting Competition 2025 has officially been launched to find and honor high-quality coffee beans while affirming the value and potential of Vietnamese coffee in the international market.

The organizer, the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Association, says the competition, the second of its kind, is open to Vietnamese citizens aged 18 and older, living and working in the country, cited VOV.

The Vietnam Coffee Roasting Competition is a great opportunity for coffee roasters to showcase their talent and skills.

Contestants will go through various stages, including familiarizing themselves with the green coffee beans for roasting practice, getting to know the roasting machine, submitting a roasting plan and flavor description, and performing the roasting practice.

The organizing board is accepting registration applications until February 10. The competition is due to take place on March 10, and the results will be announced on March 13 which will coincide with the ninth Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival.

Building on the success of the first competition, the association will introduce further innovations in this edition to give roasters an opportunity to showcase their talents. It also aims to produce high-quality, value-enhanced coffee products through roasting.

“This year's competition will be larger and more community-oriented. The judging will use a new coffee-tasting form based on the SCA and CQI standards. In addition, we will invite senior international experts to evaluate the coffee quality with a deep understanding of the coffee industry to attract coffee lovers to Buon Ma Thuot,” said Trinh Duc Minh, chairman of the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Association.

Buon Ma Thuot, located in Dak Lak province in the Central Highlands of Vietnam, is often referred to as the “coffee capital of Vietnam” and is considered the “coffee capital of the world.” The region is known for producing high-quality Arabica and Robusta coffee beans, making it a significant player in the global coffee industry.

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