Vietnam News Today (Jan. 11): Vietnam Emerges as Beacon of Growth And Resilience
	Vietnam News Today (Jan. 12): Russian PM’s Visit to Herald Fresh Milestone in Vietnam-Russia Ties

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN) (right) and head of Cuban delegation to the US Ambassador Ernesto Guzman. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cuba strengthen cooperation at UN

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), visited the Cuban delegation to the UN on the occasion of New Year 2025 and the 66th National Liberation Day of Cuba (January 1, 1959-2025) in New York on January 11.

During the visit, Giang congratulated the Cuban delegation and discussed with its head Ambassador Ernesto Guzman about the Vietnam-Cuba relations, and their cooperation at the UN.

He appreciated Cuba's position and role on the international stage and at the UN, expressing his belief that the Cuban people will overcome difficulties caused by the unjust embargo and continue to firmly protect the achievements of the revolution and attain new successes.

Expressing his delight at seeing the continuously enhanced special friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, Giang welcomed the efforts of both sides in effectively implementing cooperation agreements, especially the results of the state visit of Party General Secretary and State President To Lam to Cuba in September 2024.

Giang said he hopes that in the coming time, the two countries will continue to promote their tradition of reliable cooperation, and support each other at multilateral forums, especially the UN.

For his part, Ambassador Ernesto Guzmán said he treasures the unwavering affection and valuable support that Vietnam has provided to Cuba over the years, including practical actions that helped the Cuban people recover from the effects of Hurricane Oscar last October, cited VNA.

Recalling memories from his visit to Vietnam, the Cuban diplomat praised the significant achievements that Vietnam and its people have made in socio-economic development and international integration.

On this occasion, the two ambassadors agreed to further strengthen cooperation between their delegations in New York, and coordinate to promote multilateralism, uphold international law and the UN Charter, and protect the legitimate rights and interests of developing countries. They also reached consensus on other mutual concerns within the frameworks of the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the G77.

Vietnam and Russia to sign cooperation documents this week

Vietnam and Russia are expected to sign some cooperation documents following talks and meetings between Prime Minister Mikhail Vladimirovich Mishustin and Vietnamese leaders during his official visit to Hanoi on January 14-15, said Russian Ambassador to Vietnam G.S.Bezdetko.

The ambassador told the press on January 12 that both sides would discuss urgent issues in Vietnam-Russia cooperation across trade, economic, cultural, and humanitarian fields. Particular attention would be paid to the implementation of joint projects in energy, transportation, industry, and agriculture, among others.

The visit of one of Russia’s top leaders to Vietnam ahead of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the former Soviet Union, now Russia, and Vietnam (January 30, 1950 - 2025) is a symbolic event, said Bezdetko.

According to the diplomat, the year 2025 also marks several significant and memorable anniversaries in the history of relations between the two countries, including the 80th anniversary of Victory of the Great Patriotic War (May 9, 2025), the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of Southern Vietnam and National Reunification (April 30, 2025), the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2, 2025), and the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Free Trade Agreement between the Eurasian Economic Union and Vietnam (May 29, 2025).

He highlighted that over the past 75 years, the two countries have acquired a wealth of experience, including unique practices in mutually beneficial and diverse cooperation. Since 2001, relations between Russia and Vietnam have achieved a strategic status, and in 2012, they were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Currently, the two countries cooperate across various fields, including trade, economy, science - technology, humanitarian aid, national defense, and security.

In his view, the key factor in continuously developing and strengthening Russia-Vietnam relations lies in regular political dialogue at the highest level, marked by reciprocal visits and meetings, such as President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Vietnam in June 2024, his meeting with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chinh on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in October 2024, and the official visit of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to Russia in September 2024.

The Russia-Vietnam Intergovernmental Commission on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technical Cooperation convened its 25th Anniversary Meeting in Moscow in September 2024, chaired by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko and Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.

Dynamic exchanges have been conducted between ministries and agencies of both countries in implementing agreements reached at the highest levels. These exchanges cover industrial production, trade and investment, information and communications, science and technology, culture, and tourism. Mutually beneficial cooperation partnerships have also been established through business organizations.

With these positive developments, Bezdetko shared that during Mishustin’s upcoming visit to Vietnam, the two sides are expected to have substantive discussions aimed at enhancing cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including trade, economy, science-technology, and humanitarian aid, according to VOV.

Russian Ambassador to Vietnam G.S.Bezdetko. (Photo: VNA)

The two sides are also anticipated to exchange views to strengthen coordination in international platforms, particularly at the United Nations and ASEAN-led mechanisms. This cooperation is based on the alignment or similarity of Russia’s and Vietnam’s positions on key global and regional issues, aiming to promote joint approaches to address pressing challenges, uphold principles of sovereign equality, non-interference in the internal affairs of independent states, legality, and a fair multipolar world order.

Commenting on the potential for future cooperation, Bezdetko emphasized the need to deepen and diversify cooperation between the two countries. This relationship is built on a solid foundation of a long-standing tradition of friendship and mutual support, serving the fundamental interests of both sides, with the ultimate goal of ensuring prosperity and happiness for their peoples.

He expressed his belief that the talks and meetings between the Russian Prime Minister and Vietnamese leaders during this visit would create additional momentum to strengthen cooperation in traditional fields and explore new, promising fields, all in the spirit of friendship, mutual understanding, and comprehensive strategic partnership.

Trade, investment cooperation - important pillar in Vietnam-UK ties

Vietnam and the UK have identified trade and investment cooperation as an important pillar of their Strategic Partnership and will step up measures to ramp up economic cooperation in the coming time.

This was agreed during a recent London meeting between Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Do Minh Hung and Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade Douglas Alexander.

During the meeting, the two sides discussed economic cooperation potential and consented to speed up the implementation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) and closely coordinate to effectively realise the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA).

With the UK’s accession to the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) on December 15, 2024, both sides agreed to capitalize on the opportunities to promote trade and investment between the two nations and among CPTPP member countries, contributing to the trend of regional economic integration. Minister Alexander also expressed gratitude to Vietnam for its support during the UK’s CPTPP accession negotiations.

As both countries are making efforts to achieve economic growth targets and respond to climate change, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to advancing energy transition collaboration within the framework of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The UK vowed to support Vietnam in establishing an international financial centre in HCM City, creating a new momentum for economic cooperation between the two countries, VNS reported.

Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Do Minh Hung and Minister of State at the Department for Business and Trade Douglas Alexander at their recent meeting in London. Photo: VNS

Ambassador Hung shared Vietnam’s remarkable socio-economic achievements, highlighting the nation’s dynamic economy, which recorded the highest GDP growth rate in the region in 2024 at 7.09 per cent.

He emphasized Vietnam as an open economy connected to major global markets through 17 free trade agreements (FTAs), including several new-generation ones.

Economic and trade cooperation remains a highlight in the multifaceted Vietnam-UK relationship. Since 2021, bilateral trade has consistently grown year by year, reaching US$8.4 billion in 2024, a significant 18 per cent increase compared to 2023. Notably, Vietnam’s export value to the UK surpassed US$7 billion for the first time, totalling US$7.5 billion, up 18.9 per cent year-on-year.

Most of Vietnam’s key exports experienced robust growth, including computers, electronic products and components, fruit and vegetables, pepper, coffee, rubber products, confectionery and cereal products, machinery, equipment, steel, paper products, wood products, and textiles and garments.

Notably, Vietnamese products, including clothing, footwear, tools, equipment, food, and fresh produce, have established a strong presence in the UK’s reputable retail chains.

Vietnamese brands are now available in leading clothing stores in the UK such as Marks & Spencer (M&S), NEXT, PRIMARK, and UNIQLO, as well as major supermarket chains like Tesco and Sainsbury’s, and premium food retailers such as Whole Foods and M&S.

Book about China-Vietnam friendship debuted in Nanning

A book entitled “ Guangxi Narrative on China-Vietnam Friendship” has been launched in Nanning, the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China.

At the launch, Huang Zheng, former Deputy Director of the Guangxi Academy of Social Sciences where the book is compiled, introduced its context, main content, and academic value.

He stated that the book systematically describes four significant events in Guangxi's modern history that reflect the friendship between China and Vietnam. Key themes include President Ho Chi Minh’s footprint in Guangxi, Vietnamese schools in Guilin, the Guangxi rear hospitals during the war in Vietnam, and the “Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea”, starting from Guangxi.

At the book launch. (Photo: Guangxi Daily)

The book also details President Ho Chi Minh’s revolutionary activities in Guilin, Liuzhou, and border counties such as Jingxi, Longzhou, and Napo from 1938 to 1945. Between 1950 and 1965, the Vietnamese leader visited Guangxi several times, meeting local people and passionately promoting the history of Vietnam-China friendship, VNA reported.

Additionally, the book provides historical documents recording the establishment of the Vietnamese schools in Guangxi during the resistance war against French colonialism, the support of the rear hospitals in Guangxi, and the urgent and secret transportation of relief materials to Vietnam via the “Ho Chi Minh Trail at Sea.” These elements vividly reflect the deep affection between President Ho Chi Minh and the people of Guangxi, established during the revolutionary struggle.

This book, marking the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between China and Vietnam and the “Vietnam-China Humanity Exchange Year, underscores Guangxi's special role in the traditional friendship between China and Vietnam. It also offers cultural resources and academic support to deepen China-Vietnam cultural exchanges, contributing to the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future.

Cold wave continues to intensify, Northern Vietnam plunges into bitter cold

Northern Vietnam is expected to experience another wave of intensified cold air on January 15 that will make the region maintain dry and sunny conditions during the day, with severe cold and frost at night for several consecutive days.

The ongoing cold wave has been enveloping northern localities for the past few days, causing temperatures to drop significantly and plunging the region into a deep freeze. The new cold spell is anticipated to bring icy winds and a noticeable chill, especially in mountainous areas where temperatures are approaching freezing.

On January 12 morning, an intensifying cold front caused temperatures at the peak of Fansipan Mountain in Sa Pa town, Lao Cai province to drop to -8°C, resulting in the formation of frost and ice. Local meteorologists noted that -8°C was not the lowest temperature ever recorded at Fansipan, as in some instances, temperatures had fallen to well below -10°C.

Not only was it extremely cold on Fansipan Mt’s summit, but the central area of Sa Pa town also experienced very low temperatures, cited VOV.

The sharp drop in temperatures in some highland areas has caused a thick layer of frost to form on the summit of Lao Than Mountain in Lao Cai province, covering the vegetation and the mountainous landscape.

Residents are advised to take precautions to stay warm and protect their health, particularly the elderly and children, who are more vulnerable to the cold. Livestock and crops in the region are also at risk, and local authorities urge farmers to implement protective measures.

As the cold persists, Northern Vietnam is expected to experience cloudy skies, drizzle, and frost in high-altitude areas. The frigid conditions highlight the region's seasonal shift into the depths of winter.

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