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Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang (R), Politburo member, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, on January 6 receives the UN Under-Secretary-General for Digital and Emerging Technologies and the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, UN boost cooperation in digital transformation, innovation

Prof. Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA), and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, on January 6 morning received the UN Under-Secretary-General for Digital and Emerging Technologies and the UN Secretary-General’s Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill who is paying an official visit to Vietnam from January 5-6.

Welcoming the UN official, Thang said that the academy and its UN partners have launched numerous training and research cooperation programmes in various fields, such as policy advocacy research, training and guidance on female leadership, and building capacity for provincial policy planning. These activities have enhanced the capacities of the academy's lecturers and staff, strengthened strategies for the effectiveness of training and development of mid- and high-level management officials, and contributed to promoting effective and sustainable national governance.

Emphasising that Vietnam and the UN share a common vision for inclusive development, with people at the center, Thang expressed his hope that the UN will continue to share international experiences in sustainable development, particularly in science-technology development, innovation, and digital transformation, which are crucial factors for Vietnam’s development and prerequisites for the country to advance in the new era.

For his part, Gill said that the Summit of the Future 2024, held in September in New York, adopted the Global Digital Compact (GDC) with the aim of creating stable elements and governance of scientific and technological factors, innovation, and emerging technologies for the benefit of people and society. This agreement lays the groundwork for international cooperation and enhances solidarity and collaboration in the fields of digital technology and artificial intelligence.

In this context, Gill noted that his Vietnam visit is his first overseas trip after the UN established a new department focused on digital technology and emerging technologies. On this occasion, the UN expressed its readiness to support the Southeast Asian nation in its growth journey and pursuing ambitious goals regarding science, technology, innovation, and AI development, cited VNA.

The GDC emphasizes international cooperation to help countries lagging in the digital transformation process catch up with the global pace, ensuring that no one is left behind in this revolution, he noted.

The UN official said he believes that Vietnam can participate in a global network for sharing benefits and enhancing digital transformation capabilities, where the country has the opportunity to share and learn from valuable experiences of other countries.

Agreeing with Thang's proposals for cooperation between UN agencies in Vietnam and the academy in sustainable development, the application of scientific and technological advancements, innovation, and digital transformation, Gill affirmed that the UN welcomes Vietnamese experts and scientists, particularly those from the HCMA, to participate in the research, synthesis, and impact assessment of AI technologies and digital transformation in public governance.

The guest is confident that the relationship between the UN and Vietnam, including the HCMA, will continue to develop strongly for the common benefit of the international community.

Vietnam achieves impressive GDP growth of 7.09% in 2024

Despite facing numerous difficulties and the impact of Typhoon Yagi, the Vietnamese economy grew impressively by 7.09% last year, with the growth rate reaching an estimated figure of 7.55% in the fourth quarter of 2024, according to details given by the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The 2024 figure is only lower than the growth rate of 2018, 2019, and 2022 in the period 2011 to 2024.

Upon addressing a press conference to announce the economic and social data for the fourth quarter and the entire year of 2024 held on January 6 in Hanoi, Nguyen Thi Huong, general director of the GSO, emphasized that amid challenges faced by the global and domestic economy, the Vietnamese economy continues to show a clear recovery trend, with growth rate gradually improving month by month and each quarter.

Inflation has been competently controlled, lower than the set target with major balances being ensured and representing a bright spot in terms of economic growth in the region and the world, Huong added.

The GSO report points out that despite being affected by natural disasters and floods, the agro-forestry-fisheries sector in 2024 achieved a robust growth rate of 3.27%.

In particular, the industrial and construction sector experienced positive recovery compared to 2023 with the added value expanded by 8.32% compared to the previous year, thereby contributing 2.7 percentage points to the growth rate of total added value of the entire economy.

Of the figures, the processing and manufacturing industry remains the driving force behind the country's economic growth, expanding by 9.83%, lower than the growth rate recorded in 2011, 2016, 2017, 2018 and in the period of 2011 to 2024, contributing 2.49 percentage points.

Elsewhere, the service sector has also made a significant contribution to economic growth due to trade and tourism activities maintaining high growth momentum. The added value of the service sector soared by 7.38%, higher than the growth rate of 6.91% recorded back in 2023, according to VOV.

The processing and manufacturing industry remains the driving force behind Vietnam's economic growth.

Meanwhile, prices have been curbed effectively with the consumer price index (CPI) in 2024 rising by 3.63% on-year to meet the target set by the National Assembly (NA).

The index in the fourth quarter went up 2.87% compared to the corresponding period last year, whilst that in December increased by 2.94% on-year.

Huong attributed this increase to the rising prices of food and services, particularly rice prices following export trends, the impact of natural disasters, and growing demand during holidays and celebrations.

According, food prices grew by 12.19% on-year, rice prices went up by 15.93%, and catering services rose by 3.99%.

The prices of housing, electricity, water, fuels, and construction materials expanded by 5.2% on-year. In addition, the prices of drugs and medical services increased by 7.16%, educational services rose by 5.37%, and transportation was up 0.76%.

Meanwhile, the prices of the post and telecommunications group in 2024 contracted by 1.02% compared to 2023 due to a general decrease in the prices of old-generation phones as businesses launched discount programmes aimed at stimulating demand for smartphones.

According to the GSO, core inflation in December, 2024, increased by 0.25% compared to the previous month and by 2.85% compared to the same period from last year.

On average, core inflation in 2024 increased by 2.71% compared to 2023, lower than the average CPI increase of 3.63%.

Quang Ninh boosts cruise tourism to lure international visitors

Despite challenges from Typhoon Yagi, the northern province of Quang Ninh, home to UNESCO-recognized natural heritage Ha Long Bay, welcomed 19 million tourists, including 3.8 million foreigners, in 2024, with cruise travelers making a significant contribution.

Leveraging its proximity to key markets such as China, the Republic of Korea, and Japan, the province has promoted its integrated infrastructure, breathtaking landscapes, and rich cultural heritage to attract cruise liners.

In 2024, approximately 60 international cruise ships brought over 100,000 visitors to Ha Long, with renowned brands like Viking Orion and Royal Caribbean making stops, VNA reported.

The beauty of Ha Long Bay lures foreign visitors (Photo: VNA)

Looking ahead, Quang Ninh aims to welcome 20 million tourists in 2025, including 4.5 million international visitors.

Recent initiatives include enhancing cruise itineraries, such as routes from China’s Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Beihai to Ha Long. For instance, the Blue Dream Melody cruise ship brought 400 Chinese tourists to Ha Long in late 2024, signaling a growing demand.

The province’s tourism sector will continue to upgrade infrastructure, develop high-end tourism products, and ensure top-quality services. Emphasis will also be placed on training staff, improving safety standards, and collaborating with travel agencies to create customized experiences for cruise passengers. Ha Long city plans to integrate cultural themes, such as the City of Flowers and City of Festivals, to further enhance its appeal.

Additionally, the province intends to form partnerships with reputable tour operators and host media and travel agencies to showcase its offerings.

With these robust strategies, Quang Ninh is positioning itself as a leading cruise destination in Vietnam and the region.

Strong cold air to grip across Northern Vietnam this week, frost expected

After several days of dry and sunny weather, a cold air mass is projected to hit northern Vietnam in the middle of this week, bringing overcast skies, scattered light rain, and a significant drop in temperatures, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

The cold air will begin to affect northern localities on January 8-9, and then spread across localities in the North-central and Central regions, said meteorologists.

Due to the cold air’s influence, the mountainous and midland regions of northern Vietnam will experience scattered rain. The plains will see light rain in some areas with cloudy and overcast skies, ending the prolonged dry and sunny conditions.

Temperatures will drop by 2–3°on January 8 C compared to the previous day and will decline further on January 9-10. The plains will experience cold weather throughout day and night, with temperatures anticipated to nosedive to a low of 10–12°C.

In the northern mountainous and midland regions, January 9–10 will see severe cold and frost, with the lowest temperatures dropping below 10°C, cited VOV.

A strong cold air mass is forecast to hit northern Vietnam this week, sending temperatures falling sharply, with mountainous localities likely to see severe cold and frost.

In the capital city of Hanoi, the weather on January 8–9 will be cloudy with light rain. Temperatures will range from 16–22°C. On January 10, the skies will remain cloudy but dry, with temperatures dropping further to 14–19°C.

Before the arrival of the cold air, January 7 will see northern localities continue to experience sunny days and dry nights. Night and early morning temperatures will range from 14–16°C, while daytime temperatures will peak at 24–26°C.

In the North Central and Central regions, the cold air combined with the wind-catching terrain of the Truong Son Mountain Range will bring scattered showers and thunderstorms from January 9–12.

Localities stretching from Thanh Hoa to Hue will see cold nights and early mornings, with the lowest temperatures ranging from 14–17°C.

Meteorologists forecast that in January 2025 cold air would intensify compared to December 2024, resulting in several days of severe cold in the northern region, mostly in mid-January.

FDI disbursement reaches record high in 2024

The disbursed volume of FDI was estimated to reach a record high of US$25.35 billion in 2024, a year-on-year increase of 9.4 percent, according to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA).

Vietnam absorbed nearly US$38.23 billion in FDI, down 3 percent from 2023.

Foreign investors poured capital in 18 out of 21 economic sectors, in which the processing and manufacturing sector lured US$25.58 billion (66.9 percent of the total registered capital), followed by real estate with US$6.31 billion (16.5 percent).

Traditional partners like Singapore and South Korea continued to expand investment in the Southeast Asian country, especially in such localities as Bac Ninh, Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City.

Photo: VGP

Singapore was the biggest investor by pouring US$10.21 billion (occupying 26.7 percent). South Korea came second with US$7.06 billion, making up 18.5 percent.

As of December 31, 2024, Viet Ham housed 42,002 FDI projects, with a cumulative registered capital of nearly US$502.8 billion. Of this, the realized capital amounts to approximately US$322.5 billion, making up 64.1 percent of the total registered investment capital.

Ho Chi Minh City was the most attractive FDI destination with US$59 billion, followed by Binh Duong and Ha Noi with US$42.48 billion and US$42.34 billion, respectively.

The FDI sector also made an important contribution to promoting Vietnam's trade with the rest of the world, with export value reaching US$290.8 billion (including oil export) in 2024, up 12.2 percent against 2023.

The FDI sector ran a trade surplus of nearly US$49.2 billion in 2024, helping the country to post a trade surplus of US$23.8 billion.

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