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Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung (R) welcomes Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and his spouse at Noi Bai International Airport , Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Singaporean PM arrives in Hanoi, beginning official visit to Vietnam

Prime Minister of Singapore Lawrence Wong and his spouse arrived in Hanoi on March 25 afternoon, beginning a two-day official visit to Vietnam.

He and his entourage were welcomed at Noi Bai international airport by Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Manh Cuong, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh.

This official visit to Vietnam by PM Wong takes place at a time when the two countries are working to realize cooperation potential within the framework of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was upgraded during the recent visit to Singapore by Party General Secretary To Lam, cited VNA.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh, as it takes place just over a week after Vietnam’s Party General Secretary To Lam's trip to Singapore, it is a step toward implementing the perceptions and agreements reached by the two countries' high-ranking leaders during Lam’s visit.

Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam said the major takeaway from the Vietnamese Party leader’s visit to Singapore was the reaffirmation of the nations’ collective commitment to strengthening bilateral cooperation. Wong’s Hanoi schedule reflects that agenda – the ways Vietnam and Singapore can tighten their bonds of friendship to weather the storm together, build up their resilience, and emerge even stronger from current global strains.

Vietnam desires to increase cooperation with Germany’s Hessen state

Vietnam desires to increase cooperation with Germany’s Hessen state, especially in financial market development, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh told Alexander Lorz, Minister of Finance of the State of Hessen, Germany, during a meeting on March 25.

Binh, who is on a working visit to Germany, highly appreciated Hessen’s role in the Vietnam-Germany strategic partnership and expressed Vietnam’s desire to learn from the German state’s experience in establishing and managing a financial center.

He also acknowledged Hessen’s role as a key economic driver with a high demand for skilled labour, affirming Vietnam is willing to cooperate in providing a skilled workforce, including collaboration with the Vietnam-Germany University.

In celebration of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Germany diplomatic relations, he suggested that both sides organize various activities to further strengthen the partnership.

During the meeting, the Minister of Finance of Hessen expressed his delight at the long-standing and strong cooperative relationship between Hessen and Vietnam. He also shared that he previously held the position of Deputy Minister of Science and Technology of Hessen and had been closely involved with the Vietnam-Germany University since its early days as a member of the university council.

Lorz agreed with Binh’s proposals, stating that Hessen is undergoing economic development with a strong demand for high-quality labour.

Hessen will actively support the Vietnam-Germany University in financial training and is ready to assist Vietnam in establishing a financial center with specific initiatives, he assured his guest.

During the meeting, the Hessen official provided an overview of the Frankfurt financial center, which is regarded as the gateway to Europe’s economy. The city is home to 280 banks, most of which are international, employing approximately 155,000 financial professionals, with an even larger workforce in related industries. It is also the only city hosting the headquarters of both the German Central Bank and the European Central Bank.

He highlighted that financial development is a key pillar in Frankfurt’s growth strategy, guided by stability, development, and prosperity. Since 2003, the financial services center under the Hessen Ministry of Finance has operated as a one-stop-shop to address business and investor concerns by connecting them with relevant authorities, according to VOV.

Alexander Lorz (R), Minister of Finance of the State of Hessen, Germany, meets with visiting Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh in Frankfurt on March 25. (Photo: VGP)

Frankfurt aims to develop a comprehensive financial ecosystem, linking banks, insurance firms, securities, investment, auditing, and asset management institutions with the support of Frankfurt Main Finance. The state government regularly consults experts and reviews policies to ensure timely adjustments while striving to attract international financial institutions, notably the upcoming relocation of the EU’s anti-money laundering agency to Frankfurt.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Binh shared that Vietnam is formulating a legal framework for its financial centers and hoped for Hessen’s support in organizational models, investment incentives, and preferential policies. He said Vietnam intends to leverage the Vietnam-Germany University for financial workforce training, and requested Hessen to send financial experts for teaching, training, and capacity-building programs.

Lorz affirmed Hessen’s willingness to share information, organizational models, and operational experience in financial center management. He also pledged to support training and connect financial experts from Frankfurt while promoting future cooperation between Hessen and Vietnam.

Vietnam, UK sign MoU on consumer protection

The Ministry of Industry and Trade’s National Competition Commission and the British Embassy in Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on consumer protection on March 25 as part of the ASEAN-UK Economic Integration Program which aims at enhancing renewal, economic development, and sustainable development.

At the signing ceremony, Deputy Minister Phan Thi Thang affirmed that the MoU not only represents a milestone in the cooperation between the two sides but also demonstrates the ministry’s commitment to protecting consumer interests in an increasingly interconnected global marketplace.

She underscored that Vietnam has unceasingly completed its legal framework, improved enforcement capacity and enhanced international cooperation to create a safe, transparent and sustainable consumer climate, reported VNA.

At the MoU signing ceremony (Photo: moit.gov.vn)

The MoU establishes a formal mechanism for bilateral collaboration, enhancing information exchange, knowledge sharing, and joint initiatives to strengthen consumer protection enforcement. Key focus areas include defective product recalls, consumer awareness campaigns, specialized training for regulatory officials, and joint technical assistance projects, she added.

For his part, British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew said with Vietnam experiencing rapid economic growth and deep international market integration, the collaboration comes at a critical time, helping enhance market transparency, promote equal business climate while developing the economy in Vietnam and ASEAN as a whole.

The UK has committed to supporting Vietnam in improving the business environment across multiple domains, including consumer protection, product recalls, administrative reforms, and digital transformation.

National Tourism Year 2025 launched in Hue city

The National Tourism Year 2025 themed Hue –Ancient Capital, New Opportunities opened in Hue city of Thua Thien-Hue province on March 25 evening, marking the beginning of a series of cultural, sports, and tourism activities that will take place across provinces and cities throughout the country.

The National Tourism Year is an annual event hosted alternately by different provinces and cities across Vietnam. Over 20 successful editions, it has played a crucial role in promoting domestic tourism, attracting a large number of international visitors, and showcasing Vietnam as a safe, friendly, peaceful, and hospitable destination on the global stage.

In 2025, the National Tourism Year returns to Hue for the second time, and it holds great significance as Thua Thien Hue officially became a centrally governed city on January 1, 2025.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Deputy Prime Minister Mai Van Chinh emphasized that tourism is a key economic sector that not only creates jobs and improves income for millions of workers but also helps many remote households escape poverty. He noted that tourism revitalizes forgotten historical sites, enhances cultural exchange and international cooperation, fosters friendship and peace, and popularizes Vietnam's unique cultural values both domestically and internationally.

The Deputy Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam possesses ideal conditions for tourism development. The Party and State have always prioritized tourism, leveraging the country’s human, cultural, and natural resources, as well as its coastal and island advantages, to establish tourism as a leading economic sector. Thanks to the political commitment of local authorities and the efforts of tourism enterprises, the local tourism industry has not only recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic but also exceeded expectations in terms of both visitor numbers and service quality, VOV reported.

A performance at the opening ceremony of the National Tourism Year 2025 in Hue on March 25.

In just two years, 2023 and 2024, Vietnam’s tourism industry has made a remarkable recovery, exceeding all planned targets and emerging as a bright spot in the national economy. Vietnam has become the fourth largest destination in ASEAN in terms of visitor arrivals and total tourism revenue. This is not only a sign of strong recovery but also proof of Vietnam’s lasting appeal on the global tourism map.

Vietnam continues to receive prestigious tourism awards, including Asia's Leading Tourist Destination and the World's Leading Heritage Destination, along with hundreds of other accolades for its tourism businesses. These international recognitions reaffirm the country’s tourism potential and attractiveness, serving as a strong motivation for further breakthroughs in the coming years.

According to the Deputy PM, 2025 is expected to be a milestone year marking the resurgence of Vietnam's tourism industry, with ambitious goals of welcoming 22–23 million international visitors, attracting 120–130 million domestic tourists, and aiming for a total tourism revenue of approximately VND1 quadrillion (about US$40 billion).

"Vietnam is entering a new era where tourism is not just about experiences but also a bridge for friendship, cooperation, and sustainable development," stressed the Deputy PM.

Looking ahead, he said, the tourism industry must implement the directives of the Prime Minister’s Instruction No. 08/CT-TTg in February 2024 to develop tourism in a comprehensive, rapid, and sustainable manner, based on core values such as unique tourism products; professional services; simple and convenient procedures; reasonable pricing; clean and beautiful environment; and safe, civilized, and friendly destinations. He emphasized that these core values will help position Vietnam as a leading global destination in the coming years.

To accomplish these goals, the Deputy PM urged the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, along with relevant ministries, agencies, and localities, especially Hue city, to build on past achievements, overcome challenges, and work collaboratively to implement several key tasks.

The tasks include implementing holistic planning and investment strategies to create distinctive and high-quality tourism products; integrating cultural heritage values into tourism development to offer unique and authentic travel experiences; leveraging digital technology to enhance tourism promotion and marketing for Hue, the Central Coast, and Vietnam as a whole; and developing new tourism spaces while minimizing environmental impact, protecting natural resources, and preserving cultural heritage and landscapes.

He stressed the need to foster a civilized, friendly, and sustainable tourism environment; promote green tourism initiatives and use heritage values as a driving force for tourism growth; and position tourism as a foundation for heritage conservation, restoration, and cultural promotion.

He also reminded the industry to enhance tourism workforce training, equipping professionals with the necessary skills and mindset for high-quality service.

The opening ceremony featured a grand artistic performance titled “The Love Song of the River”, meticulously choreographed to recreate the legends and beauty of the Perfume River. Over 800 artists and performers from Vietnam and abroad participated in this spectacular event.

Vietnam, Russia celebrate 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended a banquet celebrating the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Russia that was held in Ha Noi on March 24.

Addressing the event, Bui said, throughout the 75-year journey, the two countries have experienced many ups and downs, but with a foreign policy rooted in sincerity, Vietnam and Russia have always stood side by side as loyal friends—respecting, understanding, and supporting each other.

The Party, State, and people of Vietnam will never forget the sincere support of the Soviet and Russian people in the Vietnam's southern liberation and the national development process, cited VGP.

Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son delivers remarks at the banquet celebrating the 75th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and Russia, Ha Noi, March 24, 2025. Photo: VGP

Building on the tradition of strong relations nurtured by generations of leaders and peoples from both countries over the past 75 years, the relationship between Vietnam and Russia continues to achieve highly positive results, serving as a foundation for both nations to enter a new era.

The political relationship between the two countries is built on a high level of trust, he said, adding that economic, trade, and investment ties are developing fruitfully, while collaboration in defense and security, education and training, science and technology, culture, and tourism continues to be strengthened.

On the international stage, Vietnam and Russia consistently share and support each other, and maintain close coordination at multilateral forums such as the United Nations, APEC, ASEM, ARF, and within the ASEAN-Russia cooperation framework.

Bui expressed his belief that with the solidarity, close ties, and strong cooperation, the two countries will continue to write new chapters in their traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation, meeting the interests and aspirations of their peoples, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko expected that the diverse cooperation between Vietnam and Russia will continue to develop dynamically in the coming period, meeting the aspirations of both nations and contributing to peace, security, and stability in the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

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