VIETNAM: NEW ERA

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.

As of February 2025, Vietnam has established Comprehensive Strategic Partnerships with 10 countries, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hanoi proudly welcomed Bat Trang ceramic village and Van Phuc silk weaving village into the Global Network of Creative Craft Cities. This recognition builds on earlier achievements, which saw Ho Chi Minh City, Son La, Vinh, Cao Lanh, and Sa Dec honoured as part of the Global Network of Learning Cities, alongside Hanoi, Hoi An, and Da Lat inducted into the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN). These milestones underscore Vietnam’s expanding global presence and celebrate its rich cultural heritage and creativity.

Vietnam has become Singapore's 9th largest trading partner, with two-way trade rising by 16.83% year-on-year to some 2.53 billion USD in January, according to the latest trade statistics.

Vietnam grants visa exemptions to citizens of 16 countries from March 1, 2025 to December 31, 2025, as part of the country's tourism development stimulus programme.

On February 14, 2025, a significant milestone in the development of Vietnam's traditional craft village culture was marked when Bat Trang Pottery Village and Van Phuc Silk Village, two of Vietnam's most iconic and prominent craft villages, officially became members of the global Network of Creative Craft Cities.

According to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, as of February 21, 2025, provinces and cities nationwide have supported the elimination of 107,941 temporary and dilapidated houses, an increase of 1,752 compared to February 14, 2025.