VIETNAM: NEW ERA

Vietnam’s gross domestic product grew 6.93% in the first quarter of 2025, compared to the same period last year, the highest Quarter-1 rate since 2020, the National Statistics Office (NSO) reported at a press conference in Hanoi on April 6.

For generations, the worship of the Hung Kings has become an integral part of Vietnam's cultural identity and traditional values, reflecting the deep gratitude of each new generation towards their ancestors for their contributions to the founding and protection of the nation, and becoming a factor to nurture national solidarity.

On April 3, at the Disaster Management Department, Myanmar’s Ministry of Social Welfare, Relief, and Resettlement held a working session with the Vietnamese rescue team.

The Commemoration of the Hung Kings and the Hung Kings Temple Festival are among the most important festivals of the year for Vietnamese people. The worship of the Hung Kings is not only part of the cultural identity of the Vietnamese community but has also transcended national boundaries to become an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders of Vietnam, Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man and his spouse will attend the 150th Assembly of the Inter - Parliamentary Union (IPU-150) and pay official visits to Uzbekistan and Armenia from April 2-8. Over the past 45 years since joining the IPU, the Vietnamese parliament has consistently expressed itself as a responsible member, which has actively contributed to the union’s activities. This participation and contributions to the IPU have significantly enhanced the position of the National Assembly in particular and Vietnam as a whole on the international arena.

At the invitation of State President Luong Cuong and his spouse, President of Burundi Évariste Ndayishimiye and his spouse make an official visit to Vietnam on April 3-6, 2025. Taking place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, the visit is considered a historic milestone in bilateral relations, and expected to further strengthen the friendship and cooperation between the two sides in all fields.

The 2025 tourism stimulus programme, themed "Vietnam – Travel to Love," has received strong support from travel businesses across the country, with numerous companies introducing attractive promotions.

April 7th is recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as World Health Day. Each year, the day focuses on a specific theme to raise awareness and encourage global action on health challenges. This year's theme is "Healthy beginnings, hopeful futures," aiming to strengthen maternal and child health protection to minimise disease and mortality risks. Vietnam has made significant efforts to protect the rights of women and children, particularly in maternal and child healthcare, aligning with sustainable development goals.

Party General Secretary To Lam has written an article highlighting Vietnam’s rise to prominence in international integration.

Vietnam now has only five billionaires in the world rankings. Pham Nhat Vuong’s wealth rose by more than 2 billion USD, while Tran Ba Duong dropped off the list.

During his overseas trip from April 2 to 8, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his spouse pay an official visit to the Republic of Armenia at the invitation of Armenian National Assembly Chairman Alen Simonyan. The official visit is a demonstration of Vietnam’s consistent policy of treasuring and promoting relations with the countries it has traditional friendship with, including Armenia.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged promoting breakthroughs in scientific and technological development, innovation, and digital transformation for rapid and sustainable growth, noting that attention should be placed on green economy, digital economy, knowledge-based economy, circular economy, and sharing economy, particularly in emerging sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things.

The Vietnam Culture Festival 2025 in Japan's Sakai city is not only an opportunity to preserve and promote Vietnamese culture but also serves as a bridge to bring the image of Vietnam and its people closer to Japanese friends.

The Vietnam Coffee and Cocoa Association estimates that coffee exports could reach 2.8 billion US dollars in Q1 2025. If prices remain stable, annual exports may hit a record 8 billion US dollars.

The Hung Kings’ Commemoration and Ancestral Land Culture - Tourism Week 2025 take place from March 29 to April 7, 2025 (1st - 10th day of the third lunar month of the Year of the Snake) in Viet Tri city (Phu Tho province) the Hung Kings Temple Historical Site, and various provincial-level locations. This event offers a meaningful opportunity for people across Vietnam and international visitors to connect with the nation’s ancestral heritage.

In March 2025, Hanoi authorities officially approved plans to demolish the Shark Jaw to expand the Hoan Kiem Lake area and Dong Kinh Nghia Thuc Square. This marks a key step in the city’s urban renewal efforts, aiming for sustainable development. The municipal government has instructed relevant agencies to expedite the clearance process, with demolition set to be completed by April 30.

At the invitation of the State President Luong Cuong, and his spousey, King Philippe of the Kingdom of Belgium and Queen Mathilde are paying a State visit to Vietnam from 31 March to 4 April 2025.

The streamlining of the state management apparatus is creating pressure for state-owned enterprises (SOEs) to "transform themselves" in order to improve operational efficiency, quickly adopt advanced governance standards, and move towards international standards.

President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is on a state visit to Vietnam. The visit from March 27-29 is made at the invitation of State President Luong Cuong. This visit follows the elevation of Vietnam-Brazil relations to a strategic partnership during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's participation in the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November 2024. It signals both nations' dedication to enhancing the Vietnam-Brazil Strategic Partnership with concrete actions that promote substantive cooperation.

Administrative units with isolated locations and limited transport connectivity with adjacent administrative units, as well as those holding special importance to national defence and security, will not be compulsorily subject to re-organisation, according to the draft resolution.