| Vietnam News Today (Mar. 10) notable headlines 2025 to be a dynamic year for Vietnam – Malaysia friendship Outbound investment increases by 9.5 times in two months Similarities open up chances for Vietnam – Indonesia tourism cooperation General Secretary To Lam departs for Indonesia on historic visit French Cinema Rendezvous enthralls film enthusiasts in Hanoi Forest rangers - Wholehearted protectors of Con Dao’s green Top travel trends favoured by Asian tourists in 2025 Party leader attends concert marking 70 years of Vietnam – Indonesia diplomatic ties Party General Secretary receives leaders of large Indonesian businesses |
 |
| President of the Malaysia – Vietnam Friendship Association Tran Thi Chang speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA) |
2025 to be a dynamic year for Vietnam – Malaysia friendship
The Malaysia – Vietnam Friendship Association (MVFA) has unveiled a series of activities to strengthen the two countries' friendship this year.
The announcement ceremony attracted Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Dinh Ngoc Linh, Lao Ambassador Thepthavone, Malaysian officials, representatives of the Vietnamese community, and local people.
In her opening remarks, MVFA President Tran Thi Chang laid stress on the special relationship between the two countries – a bond built on historical depth, mutual trust, and a shared vision towards a brighter future. She said the association’s activities in 2025 carry significance as Vietnam is marking its 80th anniversary of independence and 50th anniversary of national reunification, while the two nations are celebrating the first year of their comprehensive strategic partnership and Malaysia is taking on the ASEAN Chairmanship, cited VNA.
The MVFA is promoting the relationships between individuals, enterprises, and organisations of both sides, helping strengthen their bonds and explore new cooperation opportunities, she added.
Ambassador Dinh Ngoc Linh praised the association for effectively bridging the Vietnam – Malaysia friendship through people-to-people exchanges, cultural activities, and business collaboration promotion. He noted the MVFA's meaningful initiatives have brought the peoples and business communities of both countries closer together, creating opportunities for business partnerships and cultural understanding.
He also affirmed that the embassy always provides enthusiastic support for the association’s efforts and initiatives so as to bolster cooperation between the two countries.
The event also included the appointment of Dr. Shammuddin Zaizi, a Selangor royal descendant, as the MVFA's patron. Zaizi, a successful entrepreneur who serves as Director of iKHASAS Group and is active in charitable work, immediately embraced his new role by leading a trade delegation to Vietnam on March 8-12 to participate in the Buon Ma Thuot Coffee Festival and engage with businesses in Ho Chi Minh City.
According to MVFA General Secretary Nguyen Chi Cuong, the 2025 calendar includes the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day in April to honour the Vietnamese people’s legacy and solidarity, sport competitions from March to June to consolidate friendship and boost community connectivity, the Vietnam Day in September to spotlight Vietnam’s culture and tradition as well as the country’s economic potential, the Vietnamese Women’s Day in October, and the first Vietnam trade and business expo in Malaysia this November.
The association also launched its official website at http://mvfa.com.my, providing news updates, event information, and resources that support business opportunities between Vietnam and Malaysia.
Established in March 2022, the MVFA has worked to promote deeper understanding and strengthen cooperation in culture, education, business, and people-to-people diplomacy between the two nations. As Vietnam and Malaysia are marking significant milestones in 2025, the association continues its commitment to enhancing the bilateral ties across various domains.
Outbound investment increases by 9.5 times in two months
Data from the General Statistics Office (GSO) showed that during the January-February period, Vietnamese investors invested US$233.6 million in 30 new projects abroad, 9.4 times higher than the same period last year. They also increased investment capital in five existing projects by US$5.4 million.
Regarding investment sectors, electricity production and distribution topped the list with US$111.2 million, making up 46.5 percent of the total outbound investments.
Processing and manufacturing industry came second with US$65.6 million, accounting for 27.4 percent while the mining sector ranked third with US$41 million, making up 17.1 percent, reported VGP.
 |
| Photo: VGP |
Vietnamese investors poured investment capital in 22 countries and territories, of which Laos was the top destination, with US$139.7 million, accounting for 58.4 percent.
It was followed by the Philippines with US$34.2 million, Indonesia US$31.1 million, the British Virgin Islands US$21 million and Cuba US$4 million.
By the end of 2024, Vietnam had 1,825 active overseas investment projects with total capital exceeding US$22.59 billion. Laos remained the top recipient of Vietnam's overseas investment with nearly US$5.7 billion, followed by Cambodia (about US$2.94 billion) and Venezuela (US$1.83 billion).
Similarities open up chances for Vietnam – Indonesia tourism cooperation
There are new opportunities for tourism cooperation between Vietnam and Indonesia, driven by similarities in culture and natural landscapes, along with a shared commitment to sustainable tourism development, Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) Ha Van Sieu stated at a tourism promotion program in Jakarta on March 9.
The event was jointly organized by Vietnam Airlines and Saigontourist on the occasion of the state visit to Indonesia by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse.
The program aimed to boost tourist exchanges between the two countries, and strengthen tourism cooperation along with partnerships in developing new travel products. It also looked to contribute to diplomatic ties, as well as business collaboration between Vietnamese and Indonesian travel agencies, according to VNA.
 |
| Anton Sumarli, Vice President of the Association of Indonesian Travel Agents (ASTINDO) speaks at the event. (Photo: VNA) |
Sieu said both countries boast attractive destinations, from stunning beaches and rich cultural heritage to famous attractions. He added that strengthening tourism cooperation helps to not only promote the two sides’ images but also create favorable conditions for tourism businesses to develop, and bolster cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
Anton Sumarli, Vice President of the Association of Indonesian Travel Agents (ASTINDO), said Vietnam is emerging as a strongly growing tourist destination, increasingly appealing to Indonesian travelers. This trend was reflected in the good sales performance of Vietnam Airlines at the recent ASTINDO Travel Fair.
ASTINDO stands ready to collaborate with organisations such as the VNAT to introduce new tourist destinations to Indonesian travel agencies and people, thus boosting the growth of the two countries' tourism industries, he went on.
The program offered a good chance for the two sides to introduce their attractions and tourism cooperation potential. Saigontourist's travel products and Vietnam Airlines' flight network were also showcased at the event.
Statistics show that Vietnam welcomed nearly 17.6 million international visitors in 2024, including over 184,000 Indonesians, making the archipelago nation one of Vietnam’s key tourism markets in Southeast Asia. Meanwhile, an increasing number of Vietnamese tourists have chosen Indonesia, particularly Bali, as their holiday destination.
General Secretary To Lam departs for Indonesia on historic visit
General Secretary To Lam and his spouse, Ngo Phuong Ly, have embarked on a state visit to Indonesia and an official visit to the ASEAN Secretariat.
This marks the first foreign visit of the year for Vietnam’s top leader and holds significant importance in Vietnam-Indonesia relations.
On March 9, General Secretary To Lam and his spouse, Ngo Phuong Ly, along with a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation, departed from Hanoi for a state visit to Indonesia and an official visit to the ASEAN Secretariat.
The visit is made at the invitation of Indonesian President and Chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra), Prabowo Subianto, as well as ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.
This marks General Secretary To Lam’s first international visit of 2025.
Accompanying him on the visit are General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member and Minister of National Defense; Nguyen Xuan Thang, Politburo member and Director of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics; Nguyen Van Nen, Politburo member and Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee; General Luong Tam Quang, Politburo member and Minister of Public Security;
Le Hoai Trung, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chief of the Party Central Office; Tran Luu Quang, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Committee; Bui Thanh Son, Central Committee member, Deputy Prime Minister, and Minister of Foreign Affairs; Nguyen Duc Hai, Central Committee member and Vice Chairman of the National Assembly; along with leaders from various ministries, central agencies, and local governments.
Also accompanying the delegation are the General Secretary’s assistants and Vietnamese ambassadors to Indonesia and ASEAN.
The visit carries historical significance in Vietnam-Indonesia relations, as General Secretary To Lam is the highest-ranking Vietnamese leader to visit Indonesia since the last visit by a Vietnamese General Secretary in 2017.
It also marks the beginning of celebrations for the 70th anniversary of Vietnam-Indonesia diplomatic relations (December 30, 1955 - December 30, 2025).
Vietnam and Indonesia share a longstanding relationship. Seventy years ago, Indonesia became the first Southeast Asian country to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam.
The two nations elevated their relations to a Comprehensive Partnership in 2003 and further upgraded them to a Strategic Partnership in 2013. Notably, Vietnam remains Indonesia’s only Strategic Partner in Southeast Asia.
Over the past seven decades, despite regional and global fluctuations, Vietnam and Indonesia have consistently maintained strong ties as good friends and reliable partners.
In 2024, Indonesian President Joko Widodo and later, President-elect Prabowo Subianto both visited Vietnam. Additionally, President Luong Cuong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with President Prabowo Subianto on the sidelines of the APEC Summit and G20 Summit.
Vietnam’s Communist Party has established formal relations with Indonesia’s major political parties, including the Functional Groups Party (Golkar) and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). Cooperation between localities has also been flourishing, with four pairs of provinces and cities forming sister-city relationships, cited VNN.
 |
| General Secretary To Lam and his spouse depart from Hanoi for a visit to Indonesia and the ASEAN Secretariat. Photo: VNA |
Indonesia is currently Vietnam’s second-largest trade partner within ASEAN, while Vietnam ranks as Indonesia’s fourth-largest trade partner in the region. Preliminary data from 2024 shows that bilateral trade reached $16.7 billion.
Indonesia presently has 123 active investment projects in Vietnam, with a total registered capital of $682 million. Vietnamese enterprises have also been increasingly investing in Indonesia in recent years.
Defense and security cooperation between the two countries continues to strengthen, contributing to regional peace and stability. Collaboration in education, culture, agriculture, energy, and judicial affairs has also been expanding.
The two nations share strategic interests and similar perspectives on regional and global issues, particularly within the ASEAN framework and on matters concerning the South China Sea.
French Cinema Rendezvous enthralls film enthusiasts in Hanoi
French film lovers have an opportunity to dive into the world of French cinema through the French Cinema Rendezvous that is getting underway by the French Institute in Hanoi.
According to the event organizers, five renowned French films are officially premiering in Vietnam as part of this special series to give cinema lovers a rare opportunity to enjoy works highly praised by critics and to explore the diversity and elegance of French cinema.
César and Rosalie, directed by Claude Sautet, kicked off the French Cinema Rendezvous. The film delves into the complexities of love, choices, and identity, revolving around Rosalie and a complicated love triangle. Starring Yves Montand and Romy Schneider, the film was screened on March 1 & 5, VOV reported.
 |
| César and Rosalie, directed by Claude Sautet, delves into the complexities of love, choices, and identity, revolving around Rosalie and a complicated love triangle. |
Donkey Skin, a classic musical film, is an adaptation of the fairytale Peau d'Âne by Charles Perrault and features Catherine Deneuve, Jean Marais, and Jacques Perrin. The film is being screened on March 8 & 12.
Meanwhile, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, famous for its vibrant visuals, lyrical music, and deeply emotional love story, will be screened on March 15 & 19.
The French animated film Hello World, directed by Anne-Lise Koehler and Éric Serre, will be shown on March 22 & 26. The film presents a touching story about the lives of small wild animals in the forest, where they must face natural challenges and environmental changes.
The final film closing French Cinema Rendezvous is Peaceful, a drama directed and co-written by Emmanuelle Bercot. Starring Catherine Deneuve and Benoît Magimel, the film follows the story of Benjamin, a man confronting terminal cancer. It will be screened on March 29 and April 2.
French Cinema Rendezvous is a valuable opportunity for cinema enthusiasts in Vietnam to enjoy classic works and gain a deeper understanding of French cinema.
 | Vietnam News Today (Mar. 6): Vietnam, Uzbekistan Strengthen Bilateral Cooperation in Multiple Fields Vietnam News Today (Mar. 6): Kyrgyzstan Prime Minister Adylbek Kasimalyev begins Vietnam visit; Vietnam to support Laos in forming UN peacekeeping force' Da Nang tops ... |
 | Vietnam News Today (Mar. 7): Vietnam Attends ASEAN – Cambodia Business Summit 2025 Vietnam News Today (Mar. 7): Vietnam attends ASEAN – Cambodia Business Summit 2025; Foreign financiers regard Vietnam as high-quality investment destination; Vietnam showcases vibrant tourism, ... |
