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State President Luong Cuong (R) shakes hands with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam treasures relations with Singapore: State President

Vietnam values its relations with Singapore, and hopes for the effective and substantive implementation of the comprehensive strategic partnership to further strengthen bilateral ties in the coming time, State President Luong Cuong told Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong during their meeting in Hanoi on March 26.

Cuong welcomed Wong on his first official visit to Vietnam as the Prime Minister of Singapore, stressing that this is the first high-level delegation exchange since the two countries elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

The Vietnamese State leader congratulated the government and people of Singapore on their achievements in recent years, which have turned Singapore into a developed nation with leading financial, technology and innovation centers in the region.

Reaffirming Vietnam's consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship cooperation, and multilateralization and diversification of relations, Cuong suggested Singapore continue supporting Vietnam in human resources development, particularly in training strategic-level officials.

He called for enhancing the quality of cooperation between the two sides across all sectors, especially innovation, clean energy, and digital transformation.

He took the occasion to convey his regards to and extended an invitation to the President of Singapore to visit Vietnam at a convenient time.

For his part, Wong expressed his joy to meet Cuong again following their meeting at the APEC Summit in Peru last November.

Showing his deep impression of Vietnam's strong development in recent years, Wong affirmed that Singapore wishes to strengthen its cooperative relationship with Vietnam, a like-minded friend of Singapore and also its first comprehensive strategic partner in ASEAN.

He stressed that Singapore has always been a steadfast partner in Vietnam’s Doi moi (Renewal) process, and that his country stands ready to actively cooperate and support Vietnam in socio-economic development, towards realizing the country’s goal of double-digit growth, and becoming a high-income developed nation by 2045, cited VNA.

Singapore seeks to expand cooperation with Vietnam in areas of mutual potential and demand, such as renewable energy, submarine cable connectivity, and digital economy, and in addressing emerging challenges, he went on.

The two leaders appreciated the outstanding achievements of cooperation in all areas in recent times, particularly in politics, economy, trade, and investment, while agreeing that the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework, based on political trust and shared interests and visions in many areas, will help strengthen and connect both countries more comprehensively, fostering deeper and more effective collaboration, both bilaterally and in addressing regional strategic issues.

Vietnam and Singapore should fully tap their cooperative potential, with their economies being complementary to each other, work closely to effectively implement the content of the new framework of relations, including the implementation of the 2025-2030 Action Program with specific measures across the six overarching pillars of the Joint Statement on upgrading the bilateral relations, they stressed.

The two sides also agreed to continue strengthening political trust, increasing high-level visits and exchanges, and people-to-people and business connections; deepening defense and security cooperation; enhancing coordination in the fight against cross-border crimes, including cybercrime, and in response to both traditional and non-traditional security challenges.

The two leaders also vowed to effectively implement bilateral cooperation mechanisms to make breakthroughs in new areas within the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework. They welcomed and highly appreciated the two governments agreeing to continue enhancing the quality of cooperation, including the development of the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) network into VSIP 2.0 in a sustainable, smart, and innovative direction, implementing clean energy projects, and facilitating cross-border payments using QR codes.

They agreed that as Vietnam and Singapore share common views and perspectives on regional and global issues, the two countries should continue to closely coordinate with and support each other at regional and international forums, especially ASEAN and the United Nations, for peace, stability, cooperation, and development, and maintain ASEAN’s solidarity and common stance on important international and regional issues, including the East Sea, promoting the peaceful settlement of disputes based on international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

Vietnam emerges as fastest-growing economy in SEA

Vietnam has emerged as the fastest-growing economy in Southeast Asia, with two-way trade with New Zealand reaching US$2.68 billion following growth of 40% recorded over the past five years, according to New Zealand’s newswire rnz.co.nz.

At present, New Zealand apple exporters are trying to capitalize on the increasingly wealthy Vietnamese consumer, while elbowing out global competition.

Recently, New Zealand's new Trade and Investment Minister of State, Nicola Grigg told the Parliament of New Zealand that they are well-placed to capitalize on Vietnam's growing demand for high-value food and beverage.

"As Vietnam gets wealthier, Vietnamese people want to buy high quality products from around the world and we, of course, have some of the best food and beverage producers and innovative businesses around," Minister Grigg said.

Meanwhile, Ben McLeod, head of sales and marketing at Mr Apple NZ Ltd, emphasised that Vietnamese economic growth has been phenomenal.

"Many people say Vietnam is like the new China just maybe 10 years behind. It's seen rapid growth in the last 10 to 15 years. It's come from what was a poor to lower income country to now a lower to middle income country,” he added.

McLeod stressed that several free trade agreements between New Zealand and Vietnam have put the country in good stead with other rival fruit markets, namely the United States, according to VOV.

Photo: VOV

"Free trade agreements are all important to try and help us get a little bit of leverage where we can, because we still have to compete. We have to compete with the likes of Chile and South Africa, particularly in the Southern Hemisphere window,” he assessed.

Sharing this perspective, Brendon Osborn, sales and marketing manager of Heartland Fruit, said the Vietnamese population was becoming increasingly wealthy, marked by the rise of large locally-owned retail super-malls targeted at medium and high income shoppers.

"And so we've seen a real rise in demand for New Zealand goods because they can afford them right now," Osborn said.

According to statistics, last year saw New Zealand export NZD172 million worth of fruit to Vietnam, including key products such as apples, kiwifruit, and cherries.

Vietnam strengthens efforts to advance women, peace, and security agenda

Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, Director of the ASEAN Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed Vietnam’s unwavering commitment to the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda and its resolve to effectively implement the National Action Plan on WPS for 2024-2030 while actively contributing to regional and global initiatives.

Binh delivered the commitment at the second ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Workshop on WPS organized in both in-person and online formats in Ho Chi Minh City on March 25 by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, along with Australia and Canada.

The diplomat underscored the significance and importance of the United Nations Security Council’s Resolution 1325 on WPS, adopted in 2000, and its related resolutions. He stressed the need to ensure women’s participation and gender incorporation in every stage of the peace process, according to VNA.

Ambassador Tran Duc Binh, Director of the ASEAN Department at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Photo: VNA)

As the world is celebrating the 25th anniversary of Resolution 1325, the workshop served as a platform for ARF members to reflect on achievements, identify persistent challenges, and explore concrete measures to accelerate progress.

Australian Ambassador for Gender Equality Stephanie Copus Campbell and Canadian Ambassador for WPS Jacqueline O’Neil reaffirmed the importance of Resolution 1325 and related resolutions. While acknowledging results, they pointed out ongoing challenges and stressed the urgency of greater international collaboration to ensure the effective implementation of this important agenda.

Discussions at the event also addressed the impact of rising global conflicts, with participants voicing concerns over escalating violence disproportionately affecting women and girls.

Delegates welcomed national and regional WPS action plans, including that of ASEAN, and agreed that Resolution 1325 has reshaped global perceptions of women’s roles in peace and security. They noted that integrating gender perspectives enhances the effectiveness and sustainability of peace processes.

Participants also heard stories of female peacekeepers, including Captain Sa Minh Ngoc from the Department of Peacekeeping Operations under the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, who shared unique challenges faced by women in UN peacekeeping missions.

Looking ahead, participants emphasized the need for sustained funding, stronger inter-sectoral coordination, and innovative solutions, such as leveraging emerging technologies, to enhance the implementation of WPS commitments.

Cold spell to sweep through northern Vietnam

A cold spell is expected to hit northern Vietnam on the night of March 28, bringing rain to some areas, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting.

Over the next 10 days, temperatures nationwide will fluctuate, with Lang Son and Cao Bang provinces experiencing the sharpest drops, reaching lows of 11-12°C, VOV reported.

Photo: VOV

Due to the influence of the cold spell, mountainous areas in the north will see scattered showers and thunderstorms from the night of March 28 to March 29. From March 30 to April 1, light rain is expected to continue in the northeastern region.

By March 28, the cold air will strengthen, turning the weather chilly and rainy at night. On March 29, daytime temperatures in the region could plunge by up to 10°C.

The cold conditions will persist through the last two days of March (March 30-31), with Lang Son and Cao Bang seeing lows of 11°C and 12°C, respectively. In Hanoi, temperatures will range between 16-20°C.

As April begins, northern Vietnam will see a gradual warming trend, with daytime highs reaching 20-23°C.

Vietnam is reliable partner of Brazil: Ambassador Marco Farani

The upcoming visit of Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva to Vietnam is a clear demonstration of political will, the relevance of bilateral relations and the recognition of Vietnam as a reliable partner, noted Brazilian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco Farani.

President Silva will pay a state visit to Vietnam from March 27-29 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Luong Cuong.

The Ambassador said, last year, Brazil and Vietnam celebrated 35 years of bilateral diplomatic relations. As a result of the excellent dialogue and prospects for cooperation in several areas of mutual interest, Vietnam and Brazil announced the elevation of bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership, a factor that expands the possibilities for dialogue and cooperation in outstanding areas to both countries, including a greater coordination in multilateral forums.

"One of the main elements of rapprochement between the two countries are the shared values of peace and stability in their respective regions and in the world, fundamental conditions for the development of trade, economic cooperation and to strengthen political ties", emphasized Farani.

Brazil and Vietnam agreed to base the strategic partnership on five core pillars of cooperation, including politics and security, economy, trade and investment, science, technology and innovation, climate change and environmental cooperation. The new partnership also implies the deepening of cultural cooperation, increasing exchange of missions and to the peoples to people diplomacy.

Under the scope of the new bilateral partnership, both countries will also maintain the consultations and coordination forums by strengthening institutional mechanisms for dialogue, such as holding regular bilateral political consultation meetings.

According to the diplomat, the trade area has also shown a great leap forward. Brazil is Vietnam 's largest trading partner in Latin America, registering a total of almost US$8 billion in trade last year. However, both governments have expressed their desire to create incentives in order to reach trade of around US$15 billion by 2030.

Both economies are dynamic, and Brazil has seen a sustained economic growth and Vietnam an exponential increase in economic growth. The two economies are committed to sustainable growth and innovation and boast a robust economy with a significant degree of complementarity to be explored.

Vietnam-active member of int'l community

Vietnam has been an example of dynamism and commitment to stability, making tremendous efforts to keep the economic growth goals. The country, in the domestic area, has sped up projects in the development sectors, connectivity, innovation and social welfare.

In the international field, Vietnam is increasing its presence, bringing important contributions, especially in the context of ASEAN, where it stands out as one of the most dynamic economies.

In addition, the country is appropriately responding to the growing demands of the global scenario, caused not only by the negative impact of the numerous tension hotspots in the world, but also by the ability to respond with optimism to these particular challenges.

Vietnam is currently regarded as a major production hub and has committed itself to training human resources in order to become competitive in face of the new demands presented by the need to access technological innovation, cited VGP.

Brazilian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco Farani.

The country became an outstanding actor in the production of semiconductors and has gradually introduced digitalization in ordinary life and building strategic partnerships in the multidiversified high tech field.

Economic liberalization has supported Vietnam to identify opportunities in trade and integrate into world markets, ensuring diversification and trade flows.

Vietnam has proven to be an active member of the international community. In the region, especially in ASEAN, it has shown great interest in bilateral partnerships with member countries, as the example of the recent Secretary General To Lam's visits to Indonesia and Malaysia, elevating relations with both countries to the level of comprehensive strategic partnerships, which reaffirm the Vietnam's commitments to alliances, peace and prosperity in the region.

Vietnam has also built a positive dialogue with major powers and has been a responsible actor in international forums. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited Brazil twice, in the last two years, and participated in the G20 meeting, in addition to participating, as an observer, in the last BRICS Summit Meeting, in Kazan.

"I see Vietnam engaged in balanced and constant interactions with international partners. The country had an important historical journey, always demonstrating self-reliance and diplomatic skills", highlighted Farani.

At this moment, the country is preparing to enter, in a "new era of national ascension", which will certainly mark a prosperous, innovative future, harmoniously integrated into the global scenario and with evident progress in the area of social well-being and consequently it will be reflected on the progress of a fruitful bilateral partnership, told the diplomat.

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