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Foreign tourists visit Hanoi's Old Quarter. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam to waive visas for citizens from 12 countries

The Government has issued Resolution No. 44/NQ-CP dated March 7, 2025 on visa exemptions for citizens from 12 countries across the world.

These countries include Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland.

The resolution clearly states that citizens of these countries will be exempted from visas for a temporary stay period of 45 days from the date of entry, regardless of passport type and purpose of entry, on the basis of fully meeting the entry conditions as prescribed by Vietnam’s laws, cited VNA.

The visa exemption policy when entering Vietnam for citizens of the above countries will be implemented from March 15, 2025 to March 14, 2028 and will be considered for extension according to the provisions of Vietnam’s laws.

The Government’s Resolution No. 32/NQ-CP dated March 15, 2022 and Resolution No. 128/NQ-CP dated August 14, 2023 will expire on March 15, 2025.

Party leader’s trip adds fresh impetus to Vietnam’s relations with Indonesia, ASEAN, Singapore

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse will pay a state visit to Indonesia, an official visit to the ASEAN Secretariat, and an official visit to Singapore from March 9 to 13.

The invitations have been extended by Indonesian President and Chairman of the Great Indonesia Movement Party (Gerindra) Prabowo Subianto, ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn, and Singaporean Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the People’s Action Party Lawrence Wong.

This marks To Lam’s first working trip to Indonesia, the ASEAN Secretariat, and Singapore, which also holds special significance as it coincides with important events for Vietnam, Indonesia, Singapore, and ASEAN this year. The year 2025 marks the 70th anniversary of Vietnam-Indonesia diplomatic relations and the 30th anniversary of Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN. Vietnam and Singapore have also recently celebrated the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

Vietnam and Indonesia share a strong traditional friendship. Over the past 70 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1955 and the elevation to a Strategic Partnership in 2013, bilateral relations have constantly developed and reached new heights. They maintain frequent high-level visits and exchanges through different channels. The Communist Party of Vietnam has official relations with the Party of Functional Groups (Golkar) and the Indonesian Democratic Party of Struggle (PDI-P). Political parties in Indonesia highly value the role and position of the Communist Party of Vietnam and express a strong desire to enhance cooperation.

Defence and security cooperation between the two countries has been increasingly strengthened through dialogue mechanisms, joint training, and exchanges. Indonesia is Vietnam’s second largest trading partner in ASEAN, while Vietnam is Indonesia’s fourth largest trading partner. Two-way trade has been growing robustly. Both countries have actively engaged in cultural, educational, and tourism cooperation, while their localities have fostered dynamic partnerships.

Vietnam and Indonesia share many strategic interests and common perspectives on regional and international issues, particularly within the United Nations, ASEAN, and on the East Sea issue. In 2022, the two countries signed an agreement on the delimitation of the Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), ensuring fairness for both parties and aligning with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). This was a historic milestone in their bilateral relations, contributing positively to regional peace, stability, and cooperation.

The year 2025 is crucial for both ASEAN and Vietnam, marking a new phase in ASEAN Community-building, in which intra-bloc solidarity and resilience are key to ASEAN’s central role and development. ASEAN continues to evolve as a successful regional organization that fosters dialogue and cooperation for peace, stability, development, and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and Southeast Asia, while also playing a responsible role in addressing global challenges.

As Vietnam celebrates 30 years of its ASEAN membership in 2025, this is an opportunity to reflect on past achievements and discuss future cooperation. The country, a proactive and responsible ASEAN member, has made significant contributions to ASEAN cooperation, by closely coordinating with ASEAN chairing nations, ensuring steady progress, and maintaining ASEAN’s centrality and global standing.

Meanwhile, Vietnam and Singapore established diplomatic relations in 1973 and upgraded the ties to a Strategic Partnership in 2013. Their relations are currently at an excellent stage, with increasing political trust, robust economic and investment cooperation, and strong people-to-people ties, providing momentum for further strengthening bilateral relations.

The two countries frequently exchange high-level delegations and effectively implement various cooperation mechanisms. The Communist Party of Vietnam maintains close ties with Singapore’s ruling People’s Action Party. Leaders of both parties regularly exchange views on governance and national development experiences.

Singapore is one of Vietnam’s most important economic partners, with strong and substantial cooperation in trade, investment, and connectivity. It is currently the top investor in Vietnam. The Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) model is a success story in bilateral relations. Vietnam currently has 153 investment projects in Singapore. Two-way trade is vibrant and moving towards greater balance, according to VOV.

National flags of 10 ASEAN member states and the flag of ASEAN.

Notably, the green economy-digital economy partnership between Vietnam and Singapore is opening new opportunities for strong future growth. The two sides are promoting cooperation in key and emerging fields such as digital transformation, clean energy, carbon credit exchange, cybersecurity, and emerging technologies.

Vietnam and Singapore share similar views on regional and international issues and closely cooperate at multilateral forums, including the United Nations and ASEAN.

Party General Secretary To Lam’s coming trip to Indonesia, the ASEAN Secretariat and Singapore underscores Vietnam’s open foreign policy, emphasizing the priority given to strengthening relations with neighbouring countries and ASEAN and enhancing Party and State diplomacy, thus further integrating into the regional and global landscape. The trip reaffirms Vietnam’s consistent policy of valuing ASEAN cooperation and strengthening strategic partnerships with Indonesia and Singapore.

The outcomes of General Secretary To Lam’s working trip are expected to add fresh impetus to Vietnam’s relations with ASEAN and its close neighbors, enhance political trust, and promote cooperation in key areas such as economy, trade, and investment.

Momentum for Vietnam-Singapore green-digital economic partnership

Efforts made by Vietnam and Singapore to elevate their bilateral relationship are expected to contribute to further promoting the Green-Digital Economic Partnership initiated two years ago, according to Prof. Bilveer Singh from the National University of Singapore (NUS).

In an interview granted to Singapore-based Vietnam News Agency correspondents on the threshold of General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam’s official visit to the city-state, Singh said that Singapore seeks to foster cooperation in developing the digital economy within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), particularly with Vietnam.

Singh highlighted Vietnam’s rapid development, expressing his hope that the two nations will strengthen digital economic cooperation at this time, in line with commitments made by their top leaders, given the model’s great potential and promising future, VNA reported.

Representatives from The Petrovietnam Technical Services Corporation (PTSC) and its Singaporean partner Sembcorp Utilities Pte Ltd at ceremony of the hand-over of contract packages on wind and hydrological measurements and geological surveys under the project on exporting offshore renewable energy from Vietnam to Singapore, in 2024. (Photo: VNA)

For this sector to thrive, Vietnam needs to continue improving its legal framework in areas such as e-commerce and digital services, and developing high-quality human resources, he stressed.

Sharing Singh’s opinion, Prof. Vu Minh Khuong, from the Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy under the NUS, said the digital economy is characterized by rapid growth driven by science and technology, noting that with Vietnam’s large IT workforce, further cooperation with Singapore will provide significant development momentum for both countries.

In fact, Vietnam and Singapore are actively strengthening cooperation in various fields to promote the Green-Digital Economic Partnership.

Speaking at an online seminar on March 4 about the Vietnam-Singapore relationship, organised by the Yusof Ishak Institute (ISEAS) of Singapore, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam stated that the two countries have expanded their bilateral cooperation to new areas, particularly renewable energy, food, infrastructure, digital economy, and innovation.

These areas of cooperation are being implemented under the Green-Digital Economic Partnership, which enables the two sides to support each other in addressing common challenges and playing a key role in ASEAN, he stated.

Regarding green economy, Ratnam emphasised that Singapore sees Vietnam as a key destination in ASEAN’s energy network due to its huge renewable energy potential.

Both nations have pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with Vietnam’s energy products playing a crucial role in this goal, he said, adding that in addition to energy exports, Vietnam has the potential to develop energy production and service facilities.

Meanwhile, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Tran Phuoc Anh underlined the need to further encourage Singaporean investment in high-tech industries, renewable energy, and digital transformation in Vietnam, while facilitating Vietnamese businesses' investment expansion in Singapore.

Established in February 2023 during Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Singapore, the Green-Digital Economic Partnership particularly focuses on clean energy and innovation cooperation.

HCMC to set off fireworks on National Reunification Day

Fireworks will light up the sky at seven venues in Ho Chi Minh City to mark the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification on April 30, 2025.

The seven locations include Saigon River Tunnel (Thu Duc city), Ben Duoc Martyrs Memorial (Cu Chi district), Nga Ba Giong Martyrs Memorial (Hoc Mon district), Lang Le - Bau Co relic site (Binh Chanh district), Can Gio district football field, National Historical - Cultural Park and Dam Sen Cultural Park.

During the April 30 celebrations, various exhibitions, cultural and artistic programs, public awareness campaigns, and sports events will take place.

These activities aim to provide residents and visitors with meaningful experiences that honor the nation's heroic revolutionary history alongside incorporating modern entertainment elements, cited VGP.

Photo: VGP

Earlier, the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism issued a document to direct the organization of activities marking the 50th anniversary of Southern Liberation and National Reunification (April 30, 1975-2025).

This is an important occasion to review the nation's glorious traditions and affirm the achievements in the country's construction and development after reunification.

The Department of Performing Arts will organize a special program and a 30-minute artistic performance during the anniversary celebration, featuring profound political content and high artistic quality.

The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Public Security will coordinate to organize parades in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Department of Fine Arts, Photography, and Exhibitions will develop a system of logos and an official brand identity package for commemorative activities nationwide.

Vietnamese investment overseas sees 9.5-fold rise in two months

Vietnam's total overseas investment capital in the first two months of the year reached nearly US$239 million, representing a 9.5-fold rise compared to the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office (GSO).

The GSO report released on March 6 shows US$233.6 million was registered for 30 new projects, a figure 9.4 times higher than the same period last year, while US$5.4 million was added to five existing projects, representing 24.3-fold rise.

The majority of overseas investment was channeled into the production and distribution of electricity, gas, hot water, steam, and air conditioning with US$111.2 million, accounting for 46.5% of the total investment capital, VOV reported.

Laos emerges as the top recipent of Vietnamese investment in the first two months of the year.

Processing and manufacturing ranked second with US$65.6 million, making up 27.4%, followed by mining with US$41 million, accounting for 17.1% of the total.

Vietnamese investment spread across 22 countries and territories worldwide, with Laos emerging as the top destination with US$139.7 million.

The Philippines ranked second with US$34.2 million, trailed by Indonesia U$$31.1 million, the British Virgin Islands US$21 million, and Cuba US$4.0 million.

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