VIETNAM: NEW ERA

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a welcome ceremony in Hanoi on February 26 for his New Zealand counterpart, Christopher Luxon, and then the two leaders held talks, during which, they agreed to upgrade the bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

These days, the streets and roads of Con Dao district off the coast of the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau are adorned with the vibrant red and yellow leaves of centuries-old catappa trees as they enter the leaf-changing season. Their striking colours stand out against the deep blue sky and sea, creating a breathtaking natural masterpiece that enchants all who visit.

Within the framework of the official visit to Vietnam and attendance at the 2nd ASEAN Future Forum by New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon (February 25-28, 2025), the two countries have signed a Joint Statement on upgrading Vietnam - New Zealand relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

Lung Cung, the most remote village in Nam Co commune, Mu Cang Chai district, Yen Bai province, is bursting with color as peach blossoms and other flowers bloom.

Under the theme "Building a United, Inclusive, and Resilient ASEAN amidst Global Transformation," the ASEAN Future Forum 2025 serves as a high-profile platform to drive discussions on strengthening regional cooperation, fostering sustainable development, and positioning ASEAN as a key player in global affairs.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held talks with Thai Minister of Foreign Affairs Maris Sangiampongsa in Hanoi on February 24.

At the 9th extraordinary session of the 15th National Assembly on February 19, 2025, the National Assembly passed a resolution supplementing the 2025 socio-economic development plan, setting a GDP growth target of at least 8%. The resolution was approved with 463 out of 464 delegates voting in favour, accounting for 96.86% of the total.

During its 9th extraordinary session, the 15th National Assembly passed Resolution No. 176/2025/QH15 on the Government's organisational structure and Resolution No. 177/2025/QH15 on the number of cabinet members, both for its current term.

Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Nguyen Van Trung underscored that by consolidating strategic political trust, creating breakthroughs in economic and trade cooperation, and transcending collaboration to new areas, Vietnam and New Zealand will capitalise on their potential towards a prosperous future

Bat Trang Pottery Village, along with Van Phuc Silk Village, has been recognised as a member of the global Network of Creative Craft Cities at a recent ceremony in Hanoi. Located beside the Red River, Bat Trang has been renowned for its pottery craft for over 500 years. Bat Trang ceramics are not only refined in appearance but also diverse in design, increasingly attracting the interest of both domestic and international consumers.

The surge in AI demand is significantly impacting plans on data centre investment and expansion in Vietnam as global tech giants and local players are racing to capture the market.

According to the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), Vietnam’s shrimp exports aim to reach 4–4.3 billion USD in 2025. In January 2025, shrimp remained the strongest-growing export item, with an export value of 273.349 million USD, accounting for 35.3% of total seafood export turnover.

The Mekong Delta province of Kien Giang welcomed over 897,000 visitors, including 126,000 foreigners, in January, achieving 8.4% of the annual target, according to the provincial Department of Tourism.

National flag carrier Vietnam Airlines has been honoured in the Top 20 World's Best Airlines for 2025 by AirlineRatings and won the World’s Best Value Premium Economy award for the second consecutive year.

With its pristine beauty and historical importance, the Bach Long Vi island district in the northern port city of Hai Phong is not only home to fishermen, youth volunteers, and residents who have volunteered to stay on the island, but also serves as a “landmark” affirming Vietnam’s sacred and inviolable sea and island sovereignty.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called on Japan's Yamato Holdings to invest in logistics centres in Vietnam, while receiving its Executive Officer and President Nagao Yutaka in Hanoi on February 17.

MARD’s supply and demand report sent to the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT) projects the Mekong Delta will cultivate 3.78 million hectares of rice, yielding more than 23.96 million tonnes. Of this, 15.08 million tonnes of commercial rice, equivalent to 7.54 million tonnes of husked rice, will be available for export.

Vietnam's foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction has shown a positive start in the first month of 2025, sparking hopes for a significant influx of investment in the coming time.

The year 2025 marks a crucial phase, bringing new momentum and enthusiasm as the country enters a period of robust development.

According to Resolution No. 25/NQ-CP dated February 5, 2025, on sectoral, industrial, and regional growth objectives, the Government has set specific growth targets to ensure that the national economy expands by at least 8% in 2025.