VIETNAM: NEW ERA

As the world enters the age of Artificial Intelligence (AI), Vietnam continues to maintain a strong standing in human development, defying a global slowdown, according to the recently-launched 2025 Human Development Report by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).

In the first four months of 2025, Vietnam’s total outbound investment reached 309.3 million USD, 3.1 times higher than the same period in 2024.

At the invitation of President Aleksandr Lukashenko of the Republic of Belarus, Party General Secretary To Lam, his spouse, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation are paying a State visit to Belarus on May 11 and 12, 2025. This marks the Vietnamese party chief’s first visit to Belarus in his current role, and the first visit by a Party General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam to Belarus in 11 years. The visit is expected to serve as a catalyst for strengthening the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Belarus.

Located around 30 km northeast of Phan Rang – Thap Cham city, the Rock Park lies along the coastline of Nui Chua National Park, within the Nui Chua World Biosphere Reserve, Vinh Hai commune, Ninh Hai district. This destination has quickly gained popularity among nature lovers and adventure seekers drawn to its wild beauty and natural wonders.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and Russian President Vladimir Putin witnessed the signing of a series of cooperation documents between the two nations, immediately following their talks in Moscow in the afternoon of May 10.

Vietnam and Azerbaijan have issued a joint statement on the establishment of a strategic partnership.

The 20th United Nations Day of Vesak has just concluded in Ho Chi Minh City. The celebration brought together compassion, unity, and cultural understanding. Pilgrims from across Vietnam came to witness sacred relics of the Buddha and the revered monk Thich Quang Duc.

At the invitation of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse will pay an official visit to Russia and attend the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Soviet people in the Great Patriotic War, from May 8 to 11, 2025. This marks the first official visit to Russia by To Lam since his election as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The visit holds special significance as it takes place during the two countries' celebration of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (January 30, 1950 – January 30, 2025).

The celebration takes place on May 6-8 in Ho Chi Minh City, with over 2,700 delegates—including around 1,300 international guests from 85 countries and territories —gathering under the theme: “Solidarity and Tolerance for Human Dignity: Buddhist Wisdom for World Peace and Sustainable Development.”

Seventy years ago, on May 7, 1955, the Vietnam People’s Navy was officially established. Over the past seven decades, braving turbulent seas, the Navy has become a symbol of unyielding will in the face of storms, firmly defending the country’s maritime sovereignty.

The United Nations Day of Vesak 2025 opened at the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Ho Chi Minh City on May 6.

Party General Secretary To Lam left Hanoi on May 5 for state visits to Kazakhstan and Azerbaijan, an official visit to Russia where he will attend the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the Victory of the Great Patriotic War, and then a state visit to Belarus from May 5 to 12. Kazakhstan will be the first stop for General Secretary To Lam in this European tour. The visit comes at a time when the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Kazakhstan are progressing positively. It aims to further strengthen the bilateral ties between the two countries across various fields.

Ninh Binh province welcomed more than 700,000 visitors during the Reunification Day holiday (from April 30 to May 4), marking its highest turnout to date. This figure represents a 48.9% increase compared to the same holiday in 2024.

State President Luong Cuong on May 5 presided over an official welcome ceremony for Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka, who is paying a state visit to Vietnam from May 4 – 6.

Although Vietnam saw positive results in exports of wood and wooden products in first quarter of this year, breakthrough measures are needed for the country to overcome global economic headwinds and achieve the yearly export target of 18 billion USD.

The bas-reliefs on the Nine Bronze Urns at the Hue Imperial Palace have been recognised as documentary heritage of the Asia-Pacific region by the Memory of the World Asia-Pacific Committee (MOWCAP).

In the lead-up to the 20th United Nations Day of Vesak, a range of Buddhist cultural activities were held on May 3 around the Vietnam Buddhist Academy in Binh Chanh district, Ho Chi Minh City.

Amidst global economic and political turbulence, Vietnam’s economy showed impressive resilience in the first quarter, growing by 6.93%, with a key highlight being foreign direct investment attraction and disbursement.

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975–2025) and International Workers’ Day (May 1), Hanoi has officially launched its festive season with a variety of unique and exciting tourism and entertainment activities.

Vi and Giam songs are sung by a wide range of communities in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces of north-central Vietnam. They were honoured by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2014.