Vietnam News Today (Mar. 3): Vietnam-Laos Trade Sees Impressive 66.5% Growth in January

	Vietnam News Today (Mar. 1): Vietnam to Officially Waive Visas for Tourists from Three European Countries from March
	Vietnam News Today (Mar. 2): Slovakia Regards Vietnam as Key Partner in Asia-Pacific

Coal is among Vietnam’s key imports from Laos. Pictured is the Kalum coal mine in Sekong province, Laos.

Vietnam-Laos trade sees impressive 66.5% growth in January

Trade turnover between Vietnam and Laos topped US$290 million in January 2025, up 66.5% year-on-year, according to the Vietnam Trade Office in Laos.

Vietnam's exports to the neighboring nation reached over US$117 million, marking a sharp increase of 106.5%. Key export items included petroleum products, chemical products, machinery, equipment, tools, and spare parts. Meanwhile, imports from Laos totaled more than US$173 million, up 47.2% compared to the same period in 2024. Major imported goods comprised rubber, coal, wood and wood products, and fertilizers.

In 2024, economic and trade cooperation between Vietnam and Laos recorded impressive results, surpassing US$2 billion in total trade and achieving a trade surplus of over US$2.2 billion, an increase of nearly 34% from 2023. This outcome significantly exceeded the target set by the two governments, cited VOV.

However, experts noted that trade cooperation between the two nations remains below its full potential despite the special relationship between the two countries. At its current scale, bilateral trade accounts for only about 10% of Laos' total foreign trade and 0.2% of Vietnam's.

In 2025, Vietnam and Laos aim to boost trade turnover by 10-15% compared to 2024, with the goal of hitting US$5 billion in bilateral trade in the time ahead.

Vietnamese, Chinese universities cooperate in AI research, development

The Vietnam National University (VNU) - Hanoi, in collaboration with the Tsinghua University of China, held an international workshop in Hanoi on March 1, discussing opportunities and challenges facing Vietnam – China higher education in the 21st century’s digital intelligence era.

The event served as an academic forum among researchers, education managers and lecturers from both countries. Discussions delved into how artificial intelligence (AI) can transform higher education, and explored solutions to ensure the sustainable and effective development of higher education systems in the modern era.

President of the VNU - Hanoi Le Quan said the synergy between the VNU’s multidisciplinary strengths and the Tsinghua University’s renowned expertise in engineering and technology provides an ideal foundation for bilateral cooperation.

Prof. Dr. Qiu Yong, Academician of the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences and Chairman of the Tsinghua University Council, expressed his strong commitment to deepening collaboration with Vietnamese partners in talent development, scientific research, and cultural exchange.

Leaders of the two universities also discussed the establishment of a joint AI research centre, which will operate under a collaborative model involving universities, businesses, and top-tier international partners, with the Tsinghua University at its core, according to VNA.

At the event (Photo: vnu.edu.vn)

In addition, the two universities signed a student exchange agreement, building upon a comprehensive Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) inked in August 2024. Under this agreement, students will enjoy tuition-free exchanges, with credits fully recognized, and enjoy a range of support like housing, healthcare, and language training, creating a dynamic, multicultural experience that opens doors to new friendship and career opportunities.

Looking ahead, both sides will also launch executive management training courses tailored specifically for Vietnamese business leaders and government officials. Research collaboration will also expand into high-tech fields like AI, information technology and new materials.

As part of the event, the VNU - Hanoi officially launched its Technology and Innovation Park (VNU-TIP), a project in line with the Politburo's Resolution 57-NQ/TW on breakthrough development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation.

Nikkei Asia explores the charm of a vibrant and bustling Hanoi

The article "Footloose in Hanoi: Celebrate city's charm, street food and relics from past" by Zinara Rathnayake, published on March 1 in Nikkei Asia, vividly portrays Hanoi's allure, from its bustling Old Quarter and enticing street food to its unique coffee culture, rich history, and dynamic youth contributing to the city's vibrancy.

The piece opens with a depiction of a late December winter morning, where the author observes a lively and bustling Hanoi greeting the day. Female street vendors pedal bicycles laden with colorful roses, chrysanthemums, and tulips. Groups of elderly women dance energetically around Hoan Kiem Lake, while nearby, office workers in suits sit on plastic stools along the sidewalk, chatting over steaming bowls of pho.​

Hanoi's Old Quarter is vividly illustrated with images of silversmiths crafting intricate jewelry on Hang Bac Street and Hang Ma Street, renowned for paper goods and stationery, transforming into a Christmas wonderland in December with festive white and red decorations. According to the city's tourism department, Hanoi welcomed 4 million foreign visitors in 2023, many of whom stayed in the bustling 36 streets of the vibrant Old Quarter, reported VOV.

Cuisine is an indispensable charm of Hanoi, featuring dishes like Pho (Vietnamese noodle soup), banh xeo (Vietnamese crispy stuffed rice pancake), cha ca lang (Turmeric grilled catfish with dill and noodles), bun cha (Grilled pork with vermicelli noodles and dipping sauce), banh mi (Vietnamese baguette sandwich), and banh khuc (Sticky rice cake with mugwort and khuc leaves). The author notes that Vietnamese cuisine strikes a balance between sweet, salty, bitter, sour, and spicy flavors. The desire to introduce Vietnamese cuisine motivated her to undertake this exploration.​

The Nikkei Asia article presents a charming Hanoi with friendly people, a heroic history, and a rich culture (Photo: Screenshot)

Addressing Hanoi's coffee culture, the author remarks that coffee runs in the veins of Vietnamese people and is ubiquitous throughout the city. Innovative specialties such as egg coffee, salted coffee, and yogurt coffee are among the famous variations.​

Hanoi also stands as a historical and cultural site, with remnants of Vietnam's tumultuous past still evident, such as the Hoa Lo Prison Museum and Kham Thien Street. In a conversation with a young Hanoian, the author learns about Vietnam's history and how its people have overcome challenging periods in the past, now setting aside bygone hardships to move forward.​

The article concludes with "10 must-do things when visiting Hanoi," including five activities related to exploring Vietnamese culture and history: learning about Vietnam's history on a walking tour; visiting the Hoa Lo Prison Museum; touring the Temple of Literature; watching a water puppet show at the Thang Long Water Puppet Theater; and spending half a day at the Vietnam Museum of Ethnology, which showcases the daily life and traditions of Vietnam's ethnic groups.​

The remaining five suggestions involve culinary delights and experiences, such as joining a street food tour; tasting egg coffee at Cafe Giang; and strolling around Hoan Kiem Lake.​

Through detailed and persuasive descriptions of these experiences, Hanoi emerges with its distinctive charms. The friendly people, rich and unique culture, and heroic history portrayed in the author's narrative truly make Hanoi an appealing destination.

Swiss-funded project helps develop sustainable tourism in Vietnam

The “Swiss tourism for sustainable development in Vietnam” project was launched at a ceremony in Hanoi on February 28.

At the event, Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass and Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT) Ha Van Sieu signed a Letter of Exchange affirming commitments to providing and receiving non-refundable Official Development Assistance (ODA), marking the official start of the project.

The project aims to promote the recovery of Vietnam's tourism after the COVID-19 pandemic, and help address the challenges facing the industry to achieve sustainable tourism development.

Gass stated that the Swiss Government is committed to providing a non-refundable grant of 3.6 million CHF (4 million USD) to implement the project. From 2024-2027, it will be piloted in Ha Giang, Quang Nam and Dong Thap, and may be expanded to Hue, Can Tho and Hanoi.

The project consists of three main components, with the first focusing on building public-private dialogue mechanisms at the national, regional, and provincial levels; while also developing a set of tourism development indicators for Vietnam to enhance its competitiveness. The second aims at in-depth training to enhance skills and expertise for the workforce in the tourism and hospitality sector. The third supports destinations with ideas for sustainable tourism development, while also raising awareness among businesses about green tourism standards.

VNAT Director Nguyen Trung Khanh said that in recent years, Vietnam's tourism has experienced remarkable development, becoming a prominent and highly competitive destination in the region. The country has continuously been honoured by the World Travel Awards as the 'Leading Destination in Asia' and the 'Leading Natural Destination in Asia’.

Notably, Vietnam leads the region in the speed of tourism recovery after the pandemic, with international arrivals increasing by 37% in 2024 compared to 2023. Last year, its tourism continued to assert its position on the global map with 17.6 million international visitors, 110 million domestic tourists, and total tourism revenue reaching 840 trillion VND (32.8 billion USD), cited VNA.

Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam Thomas Gass and Deputy Director of the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism Ha Van Sieu sign a Letter of Exchange. (Photo: VNA)

The development of Vietnam's tourism is closely linked to the cooperation and support from international partners, Khanh said, adding that Vietnam has always considered Switzerland as an important partner.

The Swiss Ambassador stated that Vietnam possesses many factors for tourism development, from its diverse and majestic natural landscapes to the unique cultural identities of its ethnic groups.

However, the challenge lies in how to fully tap into the tourism potential while ensuring sustainable development, preserving cultural heritage, and protecting the environment, he noted.

Therefore, the diplomat expressed his belief that lessons from Switzerland, which has been developing tourism sustainably for hundreds of years, will help Vietnam achieve this goal.

HCM City tourism grows strongly at the start of year

According to the city Department of Tourism, in February 2025, the city welcomed nearly 551,000 international visitors, an increase of more than 13 per cent over the same period last year.

In the first two months of the year, the total number of international visitors reached more than one million, an increase of 16 per cent over the same period in 2024, completing 12 percent of the 2025 plan.

Domestic tourists also increased significantly, with more than 2.9 million in February, an increase of about three per cent over the same period last year.

In the first two months of 2025, the city welcomed nearly 5.6 million domestic visitors, an increase of eight per cent over the same period in 2024, reaching 12 percent of the 2025 plan.

In addition to the number of visitors, tourism revenue also achieved impressive results. In February alone, total tourism revenue reached nearly VND18.9 billion, an increase of 20 per cent over the same period last year.

In the first two months of the year, HCM City's tourism industry brought in more than VND37.4 billion, an increase of 30 per cent over the same period in 2024, reaching 14 percent of the annual plan.

According to the Department of Tourism, in March 2025, the department will continue to promote the development of tourism products, exploiting the strengths of Thu Duc City and districts associated with tourism.

The city will also complete waterway tourism products this year to increase tourism revenue.

In addition, the city will focus on developing cultural - historical tourism, agricultural - ecological tourism associated with a new rural development program, and night tourism products to enhance the experience of tourists.

One of the key tasks in the coming time is to improve the quality of technology application in tourism promotion. HCM City continues to implement plans to apply 3D/360 technology to communications, while promoting the image of HCM City tourism on the LED screen system at the city's gateways, Tan Son Nhat airport and tourist hotspots.

At the same time, Ho Chi Minh City will organize many important tourism events in March to attract tourists.

Ho Chi Minh City will coordinate to organize the HCM City Ao Dai Festival 2025, and promote tourism promotion activities within the framework of the 10th Vietnam - Japan Festival, cited VNS.

HCM City’s tourism is seeing strong grow in the beginning of 2025. Photo: vietnamtourism.gov.vn

These events are expected to contribute to bringing the image of the city closer to domestic and foreign tourists, promote the sustainable development of the city's tourism industry, and increase tourism revenue in the coming time.

HCM City has been listed among the world’s best destinations in various categories for 2025 by readers of TripAdvisor, a leading global travel site.

HCM City has been recognized as one of the world's top 25 trending destinations, securing the 18th spot.

TripAdvisor highlights the city as one of Vietnam’s largest and most dynamic urban centres, serving as the nation’s cultural and economic hub.

With a mix of historic French colonial architecture, bustling markets, and a vibrant street food scene, the city offers travelers an exciting blend of tradition and modernity.

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