VIETNAM: NEW ERA

The 21st Southern Fruit Festival is underway at the Suoi Tien Cultural Tourist Area in Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City. Continuing its mission to honor farmers, this year’s festival, taking place from June 1 to August 31, features a wide range of innovative activities, with a strong focus on celebrating Vietnamese agricultural products in the era of global integration.

Fetal intervention specialists and pediatric cardiologists from Tu Du Hospital and Children’s Hospital 1 successfully performed a complex in-utero heart procedure on May 28 for a 22-week-old fetus of a Singaporean woman diagnosed with aortic atresia, a severe congenital heart defect. This was the ninth fetal cardiac intervention conducted in Ho Chi Minh City and was considered the most technically challenging to date due to the fetus’s very early gestational age and the critical nature of the condition.

According to the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, on making breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, this is considered a decisive factor in the development of nations. It is seen as a prerequisite and the best opportunity for Vietnam to become prosperous and powerful in the new era of the nation’s rise.

What began as a father’s handmade gift for his toddler has turned into an extraordinary journey of craftsmanship and creativity. Truong Van Dao, a Vietnamese carpenter with a passion for cars, has captivated global audiences by transforming blocks of wood into stunning, fully functional replicas of luxury vehicles — including Lamborghinis, Rolls-Royces, and even tanks. With over 20 wooden builds and a nod from Audi, Dao’s story is a powerful blend of tradition, innovation, and a father’s boundless love.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, on June 1, attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the Hanoi CMC Creative Space (CCS Hanoi), a 300 million USD technology complex.

In the first five months of 2025, Hanoi received approximately 12.77 million tourist arrivals, marking a 10.9% increase compared to the same period in 2024. Total tourism revenue was estimated at VND 51.94 trillion, up 14.1% year-on-year.

During this phase, the NA voted to adopt eight resolutions, paving the way for amendments to several articles of the 2013 Constitution, preparing for the election of deputies to the 16th NA and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026–2031 term, and making decisions on other urgent matters in line with the Politburo’s resolutions.

The Indian Navy’s ship INS Darshak, commanded by Colonel Praveen Thomas, docked at Saigon Port in the morning of May 29, beginning a friendly three-day visit to Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnamese architect Vo Trong Nghia has been honoured with the 2025 Fukuoka Asian Culture Prize in Arts and Culture for his innovative ecological architecture. The award ceremony will be held on September 16, 2025 in Fukuoka, Japan.

On May 25, 2025, the Politburo issued Conclusion No. 157-KL/TW on implementing Party resolutions regarding the restructuring of the organisational apparatus and administrative units. New commune-level units are to come into operation from 1 July, with completion targeted by July 15; provincial-level restructuring is to be finalised by August 15.

At the invitation of State President Luong Cuong, President of Hungary Sulyok Tamas and his spouse pay visit Vietnam officially from May 27 to 29, 2025. This is the first visit by a Hungarian Head of State in 11 years, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

Vietnam pledges to uphold its role as a reliable bridge and responsible partner, ready to accompany and contribute to peace, stability, and shared prosperity for all people and nations of ASEAN, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), and China, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

France has always held an important position in Vietnam's foreign policy, and is the first European Union country with which Vietnam has established a comprehensive strategic partnership, State President Luong Cuong affirmed during his talks with French President Emmanuel Macron in Hanoi on May 26.

The 46th ASEAN Summit and related high-level meetings was held on May 26–27 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Held under the theme “Inclusivity and Sustainability,” the Summit carries significant importance as it offers ASEAN leaders a vital opportunity to exchange views, assess progress, and chart strategic directions to strengthen cooperation, sustain momentum in building the ASEAN Community, and enhance the bloc’s capacity to address emerging challenges.

For the first time, the Research Institute for Aquaculture No.1 has successfully bred yellowtail amberjack — a species highly prized in Japan for sashimi and sushi, with a market price of around 1 million VND per kilogram. The institute had previously achieved similar success with four-bearded rockling. This breakthrough marks a major step forward, opening up vast potential for large-scale marine aquaculture in Vietnam.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Malaysian counterpart Anwar Ibrahim held a joint press conference in Kuala Lumpur on May 25 to announce the outcomes of their official talks, which took place earlier the same day as part of the former’s ongoing official visit to Malaysia.

The Government leader of Vietnam highlighted the pioneering role of the business community in building a resilient ASEAN of fast and sustainable development, aiming to bring prosperity and happiness to its people.

Efforts are being ramped up to fast-track three key railway projects connecting Vietnam and China, according to the Ministry of Construction. Among the planned routes, the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong-Quang Ninh railway is expected to break ground first. Following the National Assembly’s adoption of Resolution No. 187 on the investment policy, the Vietnamese and Chinese sides agreed to accelerate preparations to begin construction of the project by the end of 2025.

On May 16, 2025, Vietnam and Thailand elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership during Thai Prime Minister Paetongtarn Shinawatra's official visit to Vietnam, bringing the total countries having such partnership with Vietnam to 13.

Building upon the previous groundwork, local authorities are working with the projects' investors to review and adjust planning schemes, eyeing to complete land handover procedures at the end of December 2025.