Vietnam News Today (May 13): Vietnam Maintains High Human Development Index Despite Global Slowdown

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Ramla Khalidi, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Vietnam, speaks at the launching ceremony of the 2025 Human Development Report. (Photo: ictvietnam.vn)

Vietnam maintains high human development index despite global slowdown

The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in Vietnam launched the 2025 Human Development Report (HDR) in Hanoi on May 12, acknowledging Vietnam’s efforts to maintain its high human development index globally despite a global slowdown.

Themed A Matter of Choice: People and Possibilities in the Age of AI, the report evaluates human progress using the Human Development Index (HDI), which measures achievements in health, education, and income.

According to the report, Vietnam’s HDI in 2023 reached 0.766, ranking it 93rd out of 193 countries and territories, and placing it in the “high human development” category. Since 1990, Vietnam’s HDI has risen by 53.5% from 0.499 to 0.766, highlighting remarkable progress.

However, the report warns of a global slowdown in human development, with progress stalling at an unprecedented rate since the 2020–2021 crisis. Excluding the pandemic years, the current pace of human development is the lowest since 1990.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, Ramla Khalidi, UNDP’s Resident Representative in Vietnam, emphasized that AI’s impact on human well-being is not predetermined. She called on governments and societies to consciously shape AI to serve humanity, not dominate it, cited VOV.

Khalidi underscored that the digital transformation in Vietnam is advancing rapidly, and while the country’s HDI is high, regional and demographic disparities persist. AI could either bridge or widen these gaps, depending on how it is governed, she said.

The UNDP Vietnam resident representative praised Vietnam’s recent policies, including Resolution 57 of the Political Bureau and Decision 127 of the Prime Minister, which lay out a legal and strategic foundation for AI development. She also welcomed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s call to train 100,000 engineers in AI and semiconductors, noting that AI must be safe, ethical, and inclusive.

UNDP supports Vietnam in implementing its national AI strategy, to ensure that AI contributes to equity, sustainability, and human progress both domestically and globally, said Khalidi.

The event brought together scientists, policymakers, tech experts, businesses, and stakeholders to explore how AI can drive human development in alignment with Vietnam’s national digital transformation goals and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

Vietnamese culture highlighted at EU Open Day

Vietnam introduced its unique cultural identity during activities within the framework of the EU Open Day in Brussels, Belgium, on May 10 at the invitation of the European External Action Service (EEAS).

As an honorary guest at the event for the first time, Vietnam presented a unique cultural and art performance program, bringing overseas Vietnamese closer to their homeland. Each note stirred memories of vast rice fields, winding rivers, ancient village temples, and sweet lullabies.

The soulful music set the stage for Vietnamese graceful women in flowing ao dai and tilted conical hats, moving with elegance. Under the captivated gaze of the European audience, the performance by members of the Vietnamese Ao Dai heritage club in Belgium came alive like a vivid painting. Each graceful step and fluttering silk dress told a story of heritage, national pride, and cultural connection between Vietnam and Europe.

Paola Pampaloni, Deputy Managing Director for Asia-Pacific at the EEAS, showed her impression of the Ao dai performance, saying that it was truly impressive, well-received by the public, and sparked even greater interest among Europeans about Vietnamese culture. She stressed that Vietnam is a special guest at the event as the country and the EU are celebrating the 35th anniversary of bilateral relations this year.

Belgian and French practitioners, through dedication and passion, vividly brought to life the Eastern spirit of martial arts and deep philosophy in their performance of 'Thuy Phap', a water-inspired martial art. Their fluid yet powerful movements, at times gentle like drifting clouds, blended physical vitality, mental harmony, and the rich essence of Vietnamese culture. 'Thuy Phap' was no longer just a martial art technique, but transformed into a language of culture, a unique art form that powerfully conveyed Vietnam’s history and humanistic philosophy, according to VNA.

Visitors also have the chance to explore Vietnam’s traditional calligraphy, presented by Jean-Sébastien Gill, a Frenchman with a deep love for Vietnamese culture. (Photo: VNA)

Adding to the experience, visitors also had the chance to explore Vietnam’s traditional calligraphy, presented by Jean-Sébastien Gill, a Frenchman with a deep love for Vietnamese culture. His graceful, knowledgeable, and respectful delivery left a strong impression.

Borgat Romain, a French resident living in Brussels, shared that what Vietnam introduced at the event convinced him that it is a diverse, profound, and truly worth exploring country.

The annual event attracted the participation of thousands of local residents, tourists, and international visitors flocked to central Brussels to tour the European Parliament, the European Commission, and the European Council. They joined interactive activities and learned about the EU’s power structure and operations.

Vietnam left a deep impression on international friends as a nation that is both traditional and modern, always ready to integrate and proudly spread its unique cultural identity.

Vietnam, Belarus elevate bilateral ties to strategic partnership

Vietnam and Belarus have elevated their bilateral ties to strategic partnership, according to a Joint Statement.

The Joint Statement was issued following the summit meeting between General Secretary To Lam and Belarusian President A. Lukashenko in Minsk capital on May 12.

During the meeting, General Secretary To congratulated Lukashenko upon his re-election as the President of Belarus in January 2025, expressing his belief that Belarus will continue strong development momentum and further improve its position in the region and the world.

To affirm Vietnam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Belarus, expressing his wish that the bilateral ties, founded by President Ho Chi Minh and Belarusian leaders, will continue to grow constantly for the benefits of the two nations.

Lukashenko, for his part, welcomed To's ongoing State visit to Belarus, emphasizing that this is the first visit to Belarus by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam over the last 11 years.

He spoke highly of Vietnam's recent socio-economic development achievements, affirming that Vietnam is a great friend and important partner of Belarus in Southeast Asia, VGP reported.

The summit meeting between General Secretary To Lam and Belarusian President A. Lukashenko in Minsk capital, Belarus, May 12, 2025.

The two leaders briefed each other about recent situations in each country, expressing their pleasure at the good outcomes of bilateral cooperation across fields, including politics-diplomacy, security-defense, science and technology, education and training, culture, people-to-people exchange. They agreed on major orientations to deepen the bilateral ties in a practical and effective fashion.

The two leaders underscored the importance of maintaining contacts at all levels, especially high-level contacts and promoting the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms in accordance with the reality and conditions of each country.

The pair highly valued positive growth in bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation and agreed on measures to further exploit the opportunities from the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union with Belarus as a member country.

Both sides agreed to expand cooperation to such potential areas like information technology, digital transformation, education and training, transport, culture, sports and tourism.

The two leaders affirmed that the signing of the agreement on visa exemption for holders of ordinary passports, which took effect on January 30, 2025, and the implementation of cultural cooperation programs will create favorable conditions to strengthen cooperation and exchanges between the two countries in the time to come.

On the multilateral aspect, the two leaders discussed regional and international issues of shared concern. They agreed to continue promoting the tradition of close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations.

General Secretary To affirmed that Vietnam stands ready to act as a bridge for Belarus to enhance cooperation with ASEAN. He suggested Belarus support Vietnam and ASEAN's stance on the East Sea issue, underscoring the importance of settling disputes through peaceful means on the basis of the United Nations Charter and international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He took the occasion to kindly invite President Lukashenko to visit Vietnam soon, and the latter accepted the invitation with pleasure.

Vietnamese Sailing Ship 286 visits Guangzhou, China, for naval exchange

Sailing Ship 286 – Le Quy Don of the Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN) arrived at the Xinzhou Naval Port in Guangzhou city, China, on May 12 afternoon marking the beginning of a visit and exchange program with the People’s Liberation Army Navy of China (PLAN).

Colonel Liu Ning, Chief of Staff of the Guangzhou Naval Base of the PLAN, hosted the welcoming ceremony for the Vietnamese delegation led by Colonel Nguyen Dinh Giang, deputy director of the Vietnamese Naval Academy, at Xinzhou Naval Port.

Despite enduring a 7-day voyage across more than 700 nautical miles under rough seas and strong winds, the Vietnamese naval delegation aboard Sailing Ship 286 – Le Quy Don successfully completed their mission, arriving on schedule. During the voyage, the delegation also conducted training for cadets on board according to plan, ensuring absolute safety.

At the welcoming ceremony, Colonel Liu Ning warmly greeted Colonel Nguyen Dinh Giang and the Vietnamese delegation, expressing his belief that the visit and exchange would be a success, contributing to strengthening the friendship and cooperation between the Chinese and Vietnamese navies, cited VOV.

Vietnamese officers and sailors aboard Sailing Ship 286 - Le Quy Don at the welcoming ceremony. (Photo: PANO)

On behalf of the Vietnamese delegation, Col. Giang thanked the leaders of the Guangzhou Naval Base for their warm and thoughtful reception. He emphasized that during their stay in Guangzhou, the navies of both countries would engage in various exchange activities. He expressed his belief that, through joint efforts, these activities would proceed smoothly and successfully.

According to the schedule, the Vietnamese delegation will pay courtesy visits to leaders of the Guangzhou Naval Base, organize mutual ship visits between officers and sailors of both navies, engage in cultural and sports exchanges, and visit the Revolutionary Youth League of Vietnam Historic Site in Guangzhou city.

Vietnam opens first international marina in Nha Trang resort city

Vietnam has inaugurated its first international marina in the resort city of Nha Trang in the south-central coastal province of Khanh Hoa.

The Ana Marina Nha Trang, situated in Vinh Hoa ward, some 7 kilometres from downtown Nha Trang, is designed to accommodate 220 yachts of various types.

Spanning over 89 hectares, the project includes 68 hectares of water surface, which has been assigned the VNANA port code by the General Department of Customs.

The marina features commercial service areas, a general area with docks and floating piers for yacht mooring, as well as a boat maintenance facility.

It includes a maritime channel for vessel entry and exit, a wave barrier, and numerous recreational service complexes.

The marina can currently accommodate 110 yachts, with a maximum capacity of up to 220 yachts, including five-star vessels, cited VNA.

Ana Marina, Vietnam's first international marina (Photo: VNA)

It serves as a vital link for maritime transportation between Southeast Asia and Northeast Asia, connecting with regions such as Hong Kong (China), Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and other ports within Vietnam.

Nguyen Van Nhuan, Director of Khanh Hoa province’s Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, said the first international marina will position Nha Trang as a premier destination for luxury yachts, both domestically and internationally.

"It will also enhance the province's reputation as a leader in hosting international sailing competitions," he added.

Ana Marina commenced pilot operations in April 2023 and has since welcomed over 2,000 domestic and international ship arrivals, serving more than 60,000 passengers.

Khanh Hoa province aims this year to attract 11.8 million overnight visitors, including 5.2 million international tourists, with tourism revenue of 60 trillion VND (2.3 billion USD).

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