VIETNAM: NEW ERA

The Ministry of Public Security (MPS) has been tasked with collaborating with relevant agencies, to ensure the completion of electronic identification accounts for organizations, enabling all enterprises to carry out administrative procedures electronically starting July 1, 2025.

Since Hanoi converted routes 05, 39, 47, and 59 to electric buses, ridership has grown significantly, with both passenger volume and revenue increasing each month. According to a survey by the Hanoi Public Transport Management and Operation Centre, most passengers are satisfied with the service quality.

Across the vast rice paddies of Hong Ngu, where combine harvesters work tirelessly, a more timeless scene still unfolds—buffalo carts moving at their own unhurried pace, carrying heavy sacks of rice to collection points.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam reached 6.9 billion USD in the first two months of 2025, marking a 35.5% year-on-year surge, according to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Finance.

Kazakhstan's national flag carrier, Air Astana and SCAT Airlines, have scheduled flights from Almaty and Astana to Da Nang starting this June, after the two airlines worked with the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV) to launch the new air routes.

On March 12, 2025, during Party General Secretary To Lam’s official visit to Singapore from March 11–13, Vietnam and Singapore issued a joint statement on upgrading their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

On March 12, 2025, during Party General Secretary To Lam's official visit to the Republic of Singapore (March 11-13), Vietnam and Singapore upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, bringing the total number of countries with such partnerships with Vietnam to 12.

Party General Secretary To Lam, and Singaporean Prime Minister and Secretary-General of the ruling People's Action Party, Lawrence Wong, officially announced the upgrade of the Vietnam-Singapore relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership, at a press briefing in Singapore on March 12 following their talks the same day.

Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse pay an official visit to Singapore from March 11 to 13, 2025 at the invitation of Prime Minister of Singapore and Secretary-General of its People's Action Party Lawrence Wong. Since elevating their relationship to a strategic partnership in 2013, Vietnam and Singapore have strengthened their cooperation, yielding significant results across various sectors. Today, their ties are closer than ever, marked by high mutual trust and fruitful collaboration.

The US's TIME magazine has unveiled its list of the "Asia-Pacific's Best Companies of 2025", featuring 500 standout firms across the region. Notably, Vietnam's automaker VinFast secured the 101st position in the list.

Vietnamese Party General Secretary, To Lam, attended and delivered a keynote policy speech at a ceremony, which was held to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Vietnam's accession to ASEAN in Jakarta, Indonesia, on March 10 morning on the occasion of his official visit to the ASEAN Secretariat.

Vietnam officially joined ASEAN on July 28, 1995. Throughout its participation, Vietnam has consistently prioritised the bloc’s unity and solidarity. The country has played an active and responsible role in shaping ASEAN’s strategic decisions, from promoting the formation of ASEAN-10 in the late 1990s to initiating key ASEAN documents that reflect its contributions.

The resolution clearly states that citizens of Germany, France, Italy, Spain, the UK, Russia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Denmark, Sweden, Norway and Finland 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.

Party General Secretary, To Lam, attended the official announcement ceremony for Vietnam Airlines' direct route, connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Bali resort island’s Denpasar on March 9, as part of his ongoing trip to Indonesia.

Digital travel platform Agoda has recently updated the latest travel trends through its 2025 Travel Trends Survey. The results reveal that in 2025, Asian travellers are placing greater emphasis on relaxation-focused trips, family experiences, and exploring unique destinations. These trends are driving the growth of the region’s tourism industry.

International Women’s Day (March 8) marks a significant milestone in the history of the struggle for gender equality and women’s happiness in society. It is also a day when half of the world honours the contributions and efforts by mothers, sisters, and girls. In Vietnam, March 8 has become a driving force for generations of Vietnamese women to continuously bring into play their intellect, contribute to society, and help build a nation of sustainable development.

At the invitation of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic Adylbek Kasymaliev paid an official visit to Vietnam from March 6-7, 2025. This marks the first visit by a Kyrgyzstani head of government since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Positive signals seen in two-month socio-economic development: PM

The Central Highlands campaign, which took place from March 4 to April 3, 1975, marked the beginning of the 1975 Spring General Offensive and Uprising by the Vietnamese armed forces and people. Its victory created a turning point that led to southern Vietnam's liberation and the country's reunification.

Vietnam’s economic growth in 2024 was driven by multiple sectors, with foreign direct investment (FDI) playing a key role. As the country targets 8% growth in 2025 and aims for double-digit expansion in the following years, FDI contributions need further enhancement.