Vietnam News Today (Jan. 23): Vietnam Boasts Potential to Position Itself as Regional and Global Tech Hub
	Vietnam News Today (Jan. 24): Vietnam to Become Asia-Pacific Region's Fastest Growing Economy in 2026

General Kun Kim presents flowers to Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu (R) (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos tighten solidarity on Tet occasion

The Embassy of Vietnam in Phnom Penh on January 23 and 24 welcomed delegations from the Cambodian Veterans’ Association (CVA), the General Commissariat of the National Police of Cambodia, and the Embassy of Laos, who visited to extend their New Year greetings.

The CVA delegation, led by General Kun Kim, Senior Minister, Vice President, and Secretary-General of the association, and the delegation of the General Commissariat of the National Police, led by its Deputy Commissioner-General General Chhay Kim Khoeun, extended their warmest New Year wishes to leaders of the Party, the State, and the entire Vietnamese people. They also expressed their confidence that Vietnam, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, will continue to achieve even greater successes in 2025.

The two generals also showed their gratitude to the Party, Government, and people of Vietnam, especially the Vietnam People's Army and Public Security Forces, for their support in helping Cambodia recover, rebuild, and develop the country in recent years.

Congratulating Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu on his new term of office in Cambodia, they wished him success in further contributing to and promoting the bilateral friendship and collaboration, and achieving significant results in all fields in 2025 and beyond.

For his part, Vu expressed his gratitude to the Cambodian Party, Government, people, as well as the military and police, for their valuable support and assistance to Vietnam and its people over the years. He showed his belief that defence and security cooperation, a key pillar in the bilateral relationship between the two countries, will continue to be enhanced in the coming time, cited VNA.

In his meeting with Lao Ambassador to Cambodia Buakeo Phumvongsay, Vu and his Lao counterpart agreed on the importance of the close relationship between the two embassies. Through exchange activities, the staff and officials of both embassies have contributed to preserving and fostering the great Vietnam-Laos relationship.

On January 22, a delegation from the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF), led by Commander-in-Chief General Vong Pisen, and a delegation from the Royal Cambodian Army, led by Commander General Mao Sophan, also visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Phnom Penh to extend their New Year greetings.

On the Tet occasion, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Minh Tam visited and extended Tet greetings, as well as presented gifts to the families of leaders of the General Association of Vietnamese People in Laos and the Association of Vietnamese People in Vientiane in different periods, along with volunteer teachers of the Vietnamese language at Phat Tich Pagoda.

Vietnam moves to develop carbon market with outlined roadmap

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has signed a decision approving a project on the establishment and development of a carbon market in Vietnam.

The project’s overall goal is to develop a carbon market in Vietnam, contributing to the achievement of greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets committed under the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDC) at the lowest cost for businesses and society.

It aims to generate new financial streams for GHG emission reduction activities; promote green transitions and the development of low-emission technologies; enhance the competitiveness of Vietnamese businesses both domestically and globally; and foster the development of a low-carbon economy and proactively address climate change toward achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

Under the project by June 2025 Vietnam will gradually build and complete the legal framework for the exchange of GHG emission quotas, carbon credits, and mechanisms for carbon credit trading and offsetting to ensure the legal basis for piloting a carbon trading platform and developing the necessary infrastructure to facilitate the operation of the carbon market.

It also focuses on enhancing the management and operational capacity of government agencies overseeing the carbon market, as well as improving the readiness, capacity, and awareness of businesses, organizations, and individuals to actively participate in the carbon market, according to VOV.

A carbon market will take shape soon in Vietnam in an effort to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. (Illustrative photo)

The project clearly defines two types of commodities for the carbon market, namely Greenhouse Gas Emission Quotas, and Certified Carbon Credits that can be traded on the market. It also specifies the trading methods and outlines a roadmap for implementing the carbon market, with the pilot phase lasting from 2025 to the end of 2028. This phased approach allows for testing, evaluation, and refinement of the market mechanisms before full-scale implementation.

The project outlines five groups of tasks and solutions for implementing the carbon market, including those for carbon market commodities, market participants, the national registry system and carbon trading platform, organization and operation of the carbon market, and raising awareness and enhancing capacity.

Vietnam-Singapore trade hits record high in 2024

Vietnam’s trade with Singapore hit an all-time high in 2024, surpassing 31.67 billion SGD (approximately 23.5 billion USD).

Vietnam’s exports to Singapore showed strong growth throughout the year, with 10 months posting increases of over 15%. This impressive performance played a major role in the record-setting trade figure.

Data from Enterprise Singapore indicates that Vietnam enjoyed a trade surplus of about 1.59 billion SGD in 2024. Key exports such as electronics, machinery, and glass remained robust, while agricultural goods like rice, seafood, and vegetable oils saw significant growth.

In December alone, trade turnover between the two nations exceeded 3.06 billion SGD, reflecting a 19.24% year-on-year increase, reported VNA.

Laoding goods at the Gemalink port in Ba Ria-Vung Tau province. (Photo: VNA)

For the full year, Vietnam’s exports to Singapore totaled nearly 8.58 billion SGD, marking a sharp 30.8% rise. Meanwhile, imports grew by 3.24% to over 23.09 billion SGD. This resulted in a 9.49% overall increase in bilateral trade compared to 2023.

Vietnam remained Singapore’s 11th-largest trade partner and 10th-largest export market in 2024.

Despite the positive results, Cao Xuan Thang, head of the Vietnam Trade Office in Singapore, noted that economic experts in Singapore remain cautious about 2025 prospects due to potential geopolitical tensions among major economies.

The office is also working to help Vietnamese poultry meat and eggs enter the market, he said.

Vietnamese universities make global rankings in THE subject rankings 2025

Times Higher Education (THE) recently published its World University Rankings by Subject 2025, where several Vietnamese universities were ranked among the top in global higher education for various fields.

Vietnam showed strong representation in 8 out of 11 fields, with rankings ranging from 301 to 1,001+. The subjects were Business and Economics, Computer Sciences, Education Studies, Engineering, Life Sciences, Medical and Health, Physical Sciences and Social Sciences.

The three other subjects that Vietnam did not have any representatives were Arts and Humanities, Law, and Psychology.

The highest-ranked university is the University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City (301-400), followed by Duy Tan University, Ton Duc Thang University, Vietnam National University Hanoi, Open University of Ho Chi Minh City, and Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City (601-800), and others in the 801+ category.

In the Medical and Health subject, Duy Tan University ranked highest (401-500), followed by Hanoi Medical University, Ton Duc Thang University, Vietnam National University Hanoi, Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City, and Hue University (1,001+).

Notably, Vietnam National University Hanoi was the only university from Vietnam to be ranked in the Education category (401-500), cited VOV.

Vietnam National University Hanoi is the only Vietnamese university to be ranked in the Education category (Photo: Internet)

The WUR by Subject 2025 ranked 11 subjects of universities based on a comprehensive analysis of 18 indicators under five core pillars, including Teaching, Research Environment, Research Quality, Industry, and International Outlook.

Vietnam’s rising presence in these rankings reflects the growing strength of its higher education system, with more universities making their mark in globally competitive fields. However, there’s still a gap in Arts and Humanities training, as many Asian governments prioritize practical and applied disciplines.

Experts suggest that while Arts and Humanities may not be as prioritized in global rankings, they are crucial for interdisciplinary research and fostering societal challenges through diverse cultural and intellectual perspectives.

Vietnam revises GDP growth target to 8% in 2025

The Party Central Committee has unanimously agreed to revise up the GDP growth target to 8 percent in 2025 during its meeting in Hanoi on Friday, according to General Secretary To Lam.

The Party Central Committee also agreed to raise GDP growth to double digits in the period 2025-2030, said the General Secretary in his remarks at the closing session of the meeting.

These goals must be achieved to help our country overcome the middle-income trap, and become a high middle-income country with modern industry by 2030 and a developed country with high income by 2045, said To.

In November last year, the National Assembly approved a resolution on socio-economic development plan for 2025, targeting the GDP growth rate of 6.5-7 percent this year.

The General Secretary also called for expediting the implementation of a plan to continue streamlining and rearranging the organization of local police apparatus according to two levels: provincial police and communal police.

The Party chief urged subordinate levels to accelerate the implementation of three strategic breakthroughs, particularly institutional building breakthroughs, cited VGP.

General Secretary To Lam addresses the closing ceremony of the Party Central Committee's meeting in Hanoi, January 24, 2025. Photo: VGP

He called for promoting the development of emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, optoelectronics, internet of things, biomedical industry, semiconductor, new energy, cultural industry and entertainment industry.

The General Secretary also called for adopting policies to lure overseas Vietnamese scientists and experts to return to Vietnam to work in the fields of science and technology and innovation.

The Party leaders competent authorities to deploy comprehensive measures to promote fair, harmonious and sustainable trade with the U.S., China, ASEAN, the EU, and other major trading partners.

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