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Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet speaks at the forum (Photo: khmertimeskh.com)

Vietnam attends ASEAN – Cambodia Business Summit 2025

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Nguyen Minh Vu and leaders of many member companies of the Vietnam – Cambodia Business Association attended the ASEAN – Cambodia Business Summit 2025, held in Phnom Penh on March 5–6.

The opening session on March 6 attracted 191 international companies, 124 Cambodian enterprises, and 510 delegates, including government officials, business executives, investors, diplomats, and experts from Cambodia and other countries.

As a platform for fostering economic cooperation and development in ASEAN and with Cambodia’s growing role in regional economic integration, the summit focused on three key topics. They consist of building the bloc’s future through infrastructure development and regional connectivity, enhancing prosperity via trade and investment, and developing human resources.

In his opening address, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet stressed that the bloc has evolved into a symbol of stability and prosperity, positioning itself as the world's fifth-largest economy. The region boasts an attractive investment environment, strong economic vitality, and a steadfast commitment to regional development. In particular, infrastructure development, digital connectivity, and trade facilitation are the main drivers of regional growth and economic integration.

The PM affirmed ASEAN’s commitment to fostering a dynamic digital economy and enhancing digital connectivity to accelerate sustainable development. He also stressed the need to strengthen resilience against global uncertainties and empower small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), cited VNA.

These initiatives, he noted, will help shape ASEAN into a more vibrant, interconnected, resilient, and inclusive region, offering significant opportunities for sustainable investment to global partners.

The leader also underscored Cambodia’s commitment to advancing a resilient, sustainable, inclusive, and competitive ASEAN Economic Community.

Beyond panel discussions, the summit also provided extensive opportunities for business networking and partnerships.

Foreign financiers regard Vietnam as high-quality investment destination

Vietnam is regarded as a high-quality investment base with a long-term vision suitable for foreign investors thanks to its great efforts to accelerate institutional reforms, according to insiders.

Last week, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held meetings with many leading corporations from China, the United States, Europe, and Japan, including Warburg Pincus, Meta, Ford, Amkor, Boeing, Marubeni, Sumitomo, Hitachi, Nippon Koei, Toyota, AEON, DeepC, Bosch, Heineken, and Bayer.

The meetings took place at a time when the Government of Vietnam expects to attract further foreign investment, especially in emerging industries such as semiconductors and artificial intelligence (AI) in a bid to accelerate economic growth to over 8% this year and towards the goal of achieving double-digit growth in the coming years.

At these meetings, the Government leader called on financiers to increase investment in Vietnam, especially in the spheres of high-tech industries, big data, AI, as well as hydrogen, new energy, infrastructure, biotechnology, aviation, and electronics, according to VOV.

Photo: VOV

The PM emphasized that Vietnam is making comprehensive and inclusive innovations, especially in institutional reforms, aiming to create the best possible conditions for businesses to operate in a safe and effective manner.

US Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Courtney Beale highlighted the long-term partnership in semiconductor manufacturing between the US and Vietnam, especially in the assembly, testing, and packaging stages. He stressed that US firms view the country as an “important market” and are therefore ready to co-operate and support development in multiple fields.

Meanwhile, Julien Guerrier, head of the EU Delegation to Vietnam, described the Vietnamese Government’s recent reforms as “extremely decisive and impressive”, adding that European businesses have always placed high trust in the country’s potential and are ready to support Vietnam in its efforts to attract more investors.

However, industry insiders have pointed out that the country must continue to simplify administrative procedures as it strives to create the optimal conditions for foreign businesses and make drastic institutional reforms to further attract high-quality FDI inflows and create breakthroughs in the coming period.

According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Finance, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam surpassed US$6.9 billion in the first two months of the year, marking a 35.5% year-on-year rise.

Vietnam showcases vibrant tourism, culture at ITB Berlin 2025

Vietnam made a strong impression at ITB Berlin 2025, the world’s leading travel trade show, promoting its diverse tourism offerings and rich cultural heritage.

Held from March 4 to 6 at the Messe Berlin Exhibition Grounds, the event attracted a record 5,800 exhibitors from 170 countries and territories, marking a 5% increase from the previous year.

Speaking at a press conference introducing Vietnam tourism by the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism on March 5 within the ITB Berlin 2025, Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh emphasized that activities introducing Vietnam tourism at the event not only promote destinations in the Southeast Asian nation, but also create connections between cultures, enhance mutual understanding, and nurture international friendship.

The ambassador underscored Vietnam’s recent progress in developing tourism infrastructure, improving visitor experiences, and ensuring sustainable operations. He reaffirmed the country’s commitment to preserving its natural and cultural heritage, with initiatives promoting eco-tourism and community-based tourism reflecting Vietnam’s dedication to sustainability and responsible travel.

Vietnam’s annual participation in ITB Berlin aims to showcase the country as a friendly, safe, and high-quality destination for European travellers. The event also provides opportunities for Vietnamese tourism businesses to explore market trends and expand international partnerships, reported VNA.

Foreign visitors at the ITB Berline 2025 show their interest in Vietnam's tourism products. (Photo: VNA)

At ITB Berlin 2025, Vietnam’s national pavilion spans 400 sq.m and brings together more than 30 leading tourism groups and businesses. This year, over 100 Vietnamese travel agencies, hotels, and service providers joined the fair, promoting Vietnam’s 2025 National Tourism Year, themed around the ancient city of Hue.

Vietnam is focusing on four key tourism products at ITB Berlin: marine tourism, nature tourism, cultural tourism, and urban tourism, alongside offerings like adventure travel, culinary tours, family vacations, wellness retreats, and golf tourism.

According to Phan Linh Chi, Deputy Director General of the National Authority of Tourism, Europe’s importance as a key tourism market for Vietnam. The country welcomed nearly 2 million European visitors in 2024, with the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy being the largest contributors.

In January alone, arrivals from Europe rose by over 22% compared to the previous month and the same period last year, reaching nearly 270,000 visitors. Vietnam aims to attract 22 to 23 million international visitors in 2025.

Vietnam has earned numerous prestigious international tourism awards over the years, including recognition as a leading destination for heritage, golf, nature, culture, cuisine, and sustainable development. Many Vietnamese destinations have been ranked among the world’s top spots by renowned travel sites and global media, including TripAdvisor, The Telegraph, CNN, and the Travel Channel.

Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan to sign new economic agreements

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his visiting Kyrgyz counterpart Adylbek Kasymaliev discussed measures to strengthen the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, including the signing of new economic agreements, during their talks in Hanoi on March 6.

Chinh welcomed Kasymaliev’s visit which he said would open a new phase of cooperation for the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan, aiming to upgrade the relationship to a level of Comprehensive Partnership.

The Party, State, and people of Vietnam always value the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan, which has been cultivated by the leaders and people of both countries over many generations, stated the PM

Kasymaliev, for his part, highly appreciated Vietnam’s growing role in Southeast Asia and affirmed that Kyrgyzstan considers Vietnam a priority in its foreign policy and it desires to enhance bilateral cooperation in areas where both sides have strengths and potential.

Both sides underscored the importance of maintaining high-level contacts across all channels, and agreed to establish direct communication channels to effectively promote the high-level agreements reached. They also agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations.

Chinh emphasized that Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge for Kyrgyzstan to increase cooperation with ASEAN, while hoping that Kyrgyzstan will play a role in connecting Vietnam with Central Asia. He also requested that Kyrgyzstan support Vietnam and ASEAN’s position on the East Sea issue.

The two PMs acknowledged improvements in economic and trade cooperation, with bilateral trade exchanges gradually growing, though it is not yet sustainable and does not fully tap the potential of both sides.

They stressed the need to further exploit the opportunities provided by the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU). To enhance cooperation efficiency, both sides agreed to support the establishment of coordination mechanisms between the agencies responsible for economics, trade and investment.

They also examined the possibility of establishing a Joint Governmental Committee and encouraged businesses from both countries to enter into direct relationships, participate in promotion activities, and industry-specific fairs organized in each country, cited VOV.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and his visiting Kyrgyz counterpart Adylbek Kasymaliev shaking hands ahead of their talks in Hanoi on March 6.

The two PMs concurred that Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan should accelerate negotiations toward soon signing a number of agreements on double tax avoidance, investment promotion and protection and economic cooperation. The two countries should also exchange lists of goods each country has the potential for export, such as timber and wood products, electronics, textiles, seafood, fruits, cashew nuts, tea, and others.

Chinh proposed that the Kyrgyz PM instruct relevant ministries to explore cooperation opportunities in the production and export of Halal products to the Kyrgyz market specifically, and to the Central Asian market more generally.

The two sides agreed to expand cooperation into promising areas such as agriculture, defence and security, education and training, culture and tourism, local exchanges, transportation connectivity, especially in aviation and railways, to open up new cooperation spaces and facilitate mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.

During the talks, Chinh expressed his gratitude to the leaders and government of Kyrgyzstan for their attention to the Vietnamese community living, working, and studying in Kyrgyzstan and requested that the Kyrgyz government continue to create favourable conditions to ensure the well-being of the Vietnamese community there.

Kasymaliev extended a formal invitation to Chinh to visit Kyrgyzstan, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.

After the talks, the two leaders signed a Joint Statement on the outcomes of Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev’s official visit to Vietnam and witnessed the signing and exchange of bilateral cooperation documents in the fields of education, judiciary and aviation.

Foreign arrivals to Vietnam up over 30% in two months

Vietnam welcomed nearly 4 million international tourists in the first two months of 2025, a year-on-year increase of 30.2 percent, according to the latest report from the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

Of the figure, nearly 3.4 million arrived in Vietnam by air, accounting for 85.7 percent of the total, marking a 32.5 percent increase year-on-year.

Photo: VGP

China was Vietnam's largest source of tourists, with 956,00 visitors, making up 27.7 percent. South Korea came second with 885,000 visitors, followed by Taiwan, the U.S., Japan, Cambodia, Malaysia, India, and Russia, reported VGP.

Most destinations recorded growth compared to 2024, including China (up 77.8 percent), South Korea (up 4.9 percent), Japan (up 37.3 percent), Taiwan (up 10.1 percent), the U.S. (up 15.7 percent), Malaysia (12.5 percent), Cambodia (79.6 percent), the Philippines (up 99.8 percent), Indonesia (up 18.5 percent), Thailand (up 93.2 percent).

Vietnam's tourism sector is poised for a remarkable comeback, aiming to attract 22-23 million foreign visitors and serve 120-130 million domestic travelers in 2025.

In 2024, Vietnam welcomed around 17.5 million foreign tourists and catered to 110 million domestic travelers, raking in VND840 trillion (US$33.6 billion) in revenue.

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