The Party chief welcomed the positive results achieved in the negotiation process of a reciprocal trade agreement and highly appreciated the role, attention and support of the US Trade Representative.

Vietnam’s Party General Secretary To Lam hosted a reception for the U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Jamieson Greer, in Washington D.C. on February 19 (local time) on the occasion of his tour to the U.S. to attend the Board of Peace's inaugural meeting, according to a report from the Government News.

The top Vietnamese Party leader congratulated the U.S. on successfully organizing the Board of Peace's inaugural meeting, emphasizing that peace, security, and development are extremely important issues for nations and the world. He also congratulated the U.S. on achieving many national development accomplishments during President Donald Trump's second term. The General Secretary expressed his hope that President Trump and U.S. businesses would attend the APEC High-Level  Week in Vietnam in 2027.

General Secretary To Lam spoke highly of the achievements in cooperation between the two countries in the fields of politics, economy and trade, security and defense, and people-to-people exchanges. He hoped that both sides would work together to further promote the relationship, bringing practical benefits to both countries and their people, and contributing to peace, stability, development, and prosperity for the region and the world.

The Party chief welcomed the positive results achieved in the negotiation process of a reciprocal trade agreement and highly appreciated the role, attention and support of the US Trade Representative. He stated that Vietnamese agencies would continue to coordinate closely with the US side so that the two sides could finalize the agreement soon.

Ambassador Greer respectfully thanked General Secretary To Lam for the meeting and congratulated him on his re-election at the 14th National Party Congress. He also respectfully conveyed President Trump's congratulations to the Vietnamese Party leader and expressed gratitude for the latter's attendance at the inaugural meeting of the Gaza Board of Peace, highlighting the importance of the bilateral relationship.

The U.S. Trade Representative highly valued the positive results in the bilateral relations, including in the economic and trade sectors. He stressed that Vietnam is one of the important trading partners of the U.S. and that strengthening bilateral economic and trade cooperation would contribute positively to the overall development of the relationship between the two countries.

Negotiations on a reciprocal, fair, and balanced trade agreement between Vietnam and the U.S. have made significant progress and are entering a decisive phase, shared Ambassador Greer. He underscored the importance of this agreement to economic and trade cooperation between the two countries, and highly appreciated the proactive and positive efforts of the Vietnamese negotiation team over the past time.

Ambassador Greer affirmed that the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and he personally would continue to coordinate closely with Vietnamese ministries, agencies and sectors, and make every effort to conclude the negotiation process as soon as possible, in accordance with the instructions of General Secretary To Lam and President Donald Trump.

VGP-Van Nguyen

President Trump highly appreciated General Secretary Lam's participation in the meeting, affirming his deep respect for Vietnam, an admirable country with an increasingly significant role and influence,

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam attended the inaugural meeting of the Gaza Board of Peace in Washington D.C. on February 19 morning (local time) at the invitation of US President Donald Trump, who is also the Board’s Founding Chairman,  the Vietnam News Agency reported.

The meeting was attended by heads of state and leaders from more than 50 countries, including founding members and observers of the Gaza Board of Peace.

Speaking at the event, US President Donald Trump emphasised that the Gaza Board of Peace is a mechanism for coordination with the United Nations to coordinate humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and stabilisation of the region.

Speakers presented the pillars for the transitional phase in the Gaza Strip, including restoring security with civilian police forces, economic recovery, sustainable relief, and restoration of basic public services. Besides the security stabilisation plan, the meeting also heard presentations on reconstruction plans for the Gaza Strip, including clearing debris, building 400,000 homes, developing hotel complexes, establishing a 5G network, logistics systems, and building open economic zones.

At the meeting, nine countries pledged  $7 billion to support the people of the Gaza Strip. The US pledged $10 billion to the Board of Peace. The World Bank also announced the establishment of the Gaza Reconstruction and Development Fund at the World Bank to support the management of donor contributions and mobilise funding from governments and the private sector.

President Trump highly appreciated General Secretary Lam's participation in the meeting, affirming his deep respect for Vietnam, an admirable country with an increasingly significant role and influence.

Vietnam participates in the Gaza Board of Peace to contribute to ending the conflict in Gaza, protecting civilians, ensuring safe and unimpeded humanitarian access, rebuilding essential infrastructure, and promoting a credible political process toward lasting and sustainable peace in the Middle East.

Vietnam's consistent stance is that all disputes and conflicts must be resolved peacefully, based on international law, the United Nations Charter, and respect for the fundamental rights and legitimate interests of all parties involved. As a country that has experienced numerous wars and received valuable assistance from the international community, with a sense of responsibility and goodwill, Vietnam is ready to cooperate closely with the members of the Board of Peace and participate, to the best of its ability, in joint efforts to provide urgent humanitarian assistance, rebuild essential infrastructure, and build trust among the parties.

Vietnam supports concrete solutions to end the conflict, restore peace, security and reconstruction, and ensure the livelihoods of the people in the Gaza Strip, and to implement a comprehensive political process in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter. At the same time, to ensure sustainable peace and uphold the rights of the people of the Gaza Strip, Vietnam hopes that the implemented measures will ensure the participation of all relevant parties, especially the Palestinian Authority.

VNA-

Last year, the central city’s Chan May Port welcomed 46 cruise ships with a total of 131,515 passengers and crew members.

The international cruise ship Adora Mediterranea docked at Chan May Port in Hue city on February 19 (the third day of the Lunar New Year), becoming the first ocean liner to arrive in Vietnam’s central region in the Year of the Horse 2026, according to a report from the Vietnam News Agency.

Departing from Guangzhou, China, the vessel carried 2,613 passengers and 732 crew members, marking the opening of the 2026 cruise tourism season in Hue.

Upon arrival, local authorities and travel firms coordinated reception procedures, immigration clearance and passenger transport.

Formalities were handled swiftly, ensuring security and safety while creating favorable conditions for visitors to disembark and begin their excursions. Many tourists chose tours exploring heritage sites, cuisine and traditional craft villages across central Vietnam.

In 2025, Chan May Port welcomed 46 cruise ships with a total of 131,515 passengers and crew members. In 2026, the number of cruise calls is expected to nearly double to around 88, bringing an estimated 260,000 arrivals.

VNA-Van Nguyen

Foreign investors continued to eye Vietnam positively in 2025 amid intense investment completion at the regional level and ongoing global headwinds.

Vietnam has continued to assert itself as one of the region’s most “safe and attractive” destinations for foreign investors, with disbursed FDI reaching a five-year high in 2025, of an estimated $27.62 billion, up 9 per cent against 2024.

According to a report from the National Statistics Office at the Ministry of Finance, total registered FDI into Vietnam last year amounted to $38.42 billion, up a modest 0.5 per cent from 2024. This is considered a positive outcome given the intense competition for investment among regional peers such as India, Indonesia, and Thailand, and in light of the $38-40 billion target Vietnam set at the beginning of the year.

Positive picture

The most notable aspect lies in the composition of these capital flows. While newly-registered capital reached $17.32 billion, down 12.2 per cent in value but up 20.1 per cent in project numbers, with 4,054, additional capital showed a slight improvement, totaling $14.07 billion, up 0.8 per cent. This suggests a clear trend: new investors are being more cautious about initial investment sizes as they test the market, while existing investors in Vietnam are increasingly committed to expanding their operations.

Notably, capital contributions and share purchases recorded a sharp surge, of 54.8 per cent, reaching $7.03 billion. This reflects a rapidly-heating market for mergers and acquisitions (MAs), as foreign investors seek faster market entry by partnering with promising domestic companies.

The record-high disbursement level indicates that FDI projects are moving beyond paperwork and being translated into factories, machinery, and jobs. The manufacturing and processing sector continued to serve as the backbone of FDI, accounting for 82.8 per cent of total disbursed capital, equivalent to $22.88 billion. This underscores Vietnam’s growing role as a key manufacturing hub in global supply chains, particularly in electronics, end devices, and semiconductor components.

The surge in disbursed capital also reflects government efforts to remove bottlenecks related to infrastructure, logistics, and administrative procedures - all critical factors enabling investors to accelerate project implementation after registration.

In terms of investor structure, Singapore maintained its position as the largest source of FDI in Vietnam in 2025, with $4.84 billion, accounting for 27.9 per cent of newly-registered capital. However, this year’s investment landscape also featured new highlights. China and Hong Kong (China) significantly increased their presence, accounting for 21 per cent and 10 per cent of newly-registered capital, respectively. The “China + 1” supply chain shift continues to gain momentum, further reinforcing Vietnam’s appeal as an investment destination.

Particularly noteworthy was Sweden’s emergence, with $1 billion, or 5.8 per cent of newly-registered capital; a positive sign for Vietnam’s attraction of high-tech and sustainable investment flows from Northern Europe. Though Japan and South Korea ranked lower in terms of newly-registered capital, accounting for 9.4 per cent and 5.2 per cent, respectively, they remain among Vietnam’s most important partners, operating projects with substantial disbursement volumes and spillover effects.

Advantages and challenges ahead

While monthly FDI inflows fluctuated, the overall trend in 2025 broadly aligned with earlier assessments by international organizations. In its “Vietnam at a Glance” report, HSBC noted: “Vietnam is no longer merely an alternative to China, but is becoming an indispensable link in the global value chain.” In particular, the country’s transition from a low-cost manufacturing base to a high-tech production hub has attracted strong interest from major US and European tech groups, especially in semiconductors and clean energy.

At the same time, improvements in Vietnam’s investment and business environment, increasingly aligned with international standards, have been positively assessed by strategic partners.

The implementation of the Global Minimum Tax in 2025, meanwhile, posed new challenges to Vietnam’s traditional reliance on tax incentives to maintain competitiveness. Rather than viewing this as a setback, however, the country proactively shifted towards non-tax investment support policies, including high-quality workforce training, digital infrastructure upgrades, and green energy development.

In its recent “East Asia and Pacific Economic Update,” the World Bank described Vietnam as one of the most adaptable economies in the region, noting that its deep participation in next-generation free trade agreements has created a “shield” protecting investment flows from global trade volatility.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund emphasized that Vietnam’s macro-economic stability and effective inflation control are among the most important factors in retaining FDI levels. It forecast that Vietnam would continue to be a key growth engine in ASEAN in 2026 and remain an attractive destination for foreign investors.

A recent report from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) on Vietnam’s investment environment also highlighted that modern investors no longer focus solely on tax incentives. Rather, they prioritize access to renewable energy, infrastructure quality, and the transparency of legal systems. In this context, Vietnam is moving in the right direction by accelerating offshore wind power projects and smart grid development, meeting the stringent environmental, social, and governance (ESG) requirements of multinational corporations.

As a result, international organizations continue to forecast that FDI inflows into Vietnam in 2026 will further shift towards higher quality. Sectors such as semiconductors, the digital economy, and green energy are expected to emerge as new magnets for investment.

However, to fully realize these opportunities, Vietnam will need to act more decisively in upgrading transport and energy infrastructure, while narrowing the skills gap to ensure readiness to absorb core technologies from leading global investors.

VET-Anh Nhi

Last year’s results for Vietnam’s industrial sector paint a rosy picture for performance in the years ahead.

The latest report from the National Statistics Office (NSO) at the Ministry of Finance noted that industrial production maintained strong momentum in the fourth quarter of 2025, with the Index of Industrial Production (IIP) up 9.9 per cent year-on-year as businesses ramped up output to meet year-end consumption and export demand.

For the year as a whole, the IIP rose 9.2 per cent against 2024, when it came in at 8.2 per cent, marking the strongest growth since 2019. This result not only reaffirmed industry’s role as a key growth engine and Vietnam’s position as a regional manufacturing hub but also laid a solid platform for the country’s next stage of development.

Broad-based gains

Within overall industrial performance last year, the manufacturing and processing sector continued to act as the main driver, posting impressive growth of 10.5 per cent, up from 9.5 per cent in 2024 and contributing 8.4 percentage points to overall growth. This underscored the effectiveness of Vietnam’s strategy to focus on modern manufacturing industries.

Certain segments made positive contributions. Electricity production and distribution rose 6.7 per cent, contributing 0.6 percentage points, while water supply and waste and wastewater management increased 7.8 per cent, adding 0.1 percentage points. Notably, the mining sector, which contracted sharply in 2024, by 6.3 per cent, exhibited early signs of recovery, with a 0.5 per cent increase and contributing 0.1 percentage points.

At the local level, the industrial production picture was broadly positive, with the NSO reporting that the IIP increased year-on-year in all of Vietnam’s 34 cities and provinces. Several localities recorded strong growth driven by manufacturing and processing and by electricity production and distribution. Conversely, others saw more modest increases due to weaker performance or declines in manufacturing, electricity, or mining.

Consumption remained a key pillar supporting industrial growth. The consumption index for the manufacturing and processing sector rose 9.9 per cent in 2025, which while lower than the 11.4 per cent increase recorded in 2024 still represented solid growth and helped sustain cash flow at businesses. Average inventory levels, however, stood at 81.1 per cent for the year, up from 77.1 per cent in 2024, indicating that inventory pressures persisted and underscoring the need for more flexible supply chain management strategies.

In terms of employment, the NSO reported that as of December 1, the number of workers employed at industrial enterprises had risen 0.8 per cent compared to November 1 and 2.4 per cent year-on-year. Employment in State-owned enterprises (SOEs) increased 0.2 per cent month-on-month but declined 0.6 per cent year-on-year; non-State enterprises saw increases of 0.8 per cent and 0.3 per cent, respectively; and foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs) recorded gains of 1 per cent month-on-month and 3.3 per cent year-on-year.

By sector, employment in mining was unchanged from November and rose 1.1 per cent year-on-year. Manufacturing and processing employment increased 0.9 per cent month-on-month and 2.4 per cent year-on-year, while employment in electricity, gas, steam, hot water, and air conditioning supply rose 0.1 per cent and 2.9 per cent and in water supply and waste and wastewater management by 0.4 per cent and 0.7 per cent, respectively.

Business confidence

Vietnam’s industrial success in 2025 was closely tied to strong FDI inflows, with manufacturing and processing continuing to act as a magnet for international investors.

According to the NSO, as of December 31, the manufacturing and processing sector had attracted the largest volume of newly-licensed FDI, with registered capital of $9.8 billion, accounting for 56.5 per cent of total newly-registered capital. Including both newly-registered and additional capital, total FDI into the sector stood at $18.59 billion, representing 59.2 per cent of all newly-registered and additional capital.

The inflow of foreign capital, together with macro-economic stability, helped strengthen business confidence. An NSO survey in the fourth quarter showed broadly optimistic sentiment, with 75.8 per cent of enterprises reporting that business conditions had improved or remained stable compared with the third quarter (25.4 per cent reporting improvement and 50.4 per cent stability). Manufacturing and processing led this optimism, with 79.1 per cent of enterprises assessing conditions as improved or stable (35.2 per cent improved and 43.9 per cent stable).

By ownership type, SOEs and FIEs had the highest levels of confidence. The share of enterprises reporting improved or stable business conditions in the fourth quarter compared to the third reached 78.7 per cent among SOEs (26.8 per cent improved and 51.9 per cent stable) and 77.2 per cent among FIEs (28.1 per cent improved and 49.1 per cent stable). Non-State enterprises also expressed optimism, with 75.3 per cent reporting improved or stable conditions (24.9 per cent improved and 50.4 per cent stable).

The overall balance index - a key indicator measuring business trends in the fourth quarter compared with the third and determined by positive responses minus negative responses - stood at 1.2 per cent, while manufacturing and processing alone posted 14.3 per cent.

By contrast, construction and trade and services continued to face challenges, with balance indices of 0.8 per cent and minus 2.5 per cent, respectively. These figures highlighted industry’s role as a key pillar of economic growth, helping to spread confidence to other sectors and create a more favorable environment for long-term business planning.

Sustained momentum

The December Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) for the manufacturing and processing sector, released by SP Global in early January, provided timely and encouraging signs on sectoral development, with the PMI standing at 53.0 in December, marking the sixth consecutive month of expansion.

Manufacturers extended output growth for the eighth consecutive month, supported by recovering demand and improved operating conditions. While the pace of new order growth slowed slightly towards year’s-end due to a mild decline in export orders, domestic demand remained strong enough to keep factories running at high capacity.

The PMI report, however, also pointed to ongoing challenges. Lingering impacts from natural disasters and flooding earlier in the year disrupted supply chains in Vietnam, while shortages of raw materials and delivery delays persisted. These factors pushed input costs up by the fastest rate since June 2022. Even so, from a long-term perspective, many enterprises increased purchasing activity at the fastest rate for 16 months in preparation for an anticipated production upswing in 2026.

SP Global’s survey found that business confidence at the end of 2025 had reached its highest level since March 2024. Nearly half of respondents expect output to grow strongly in 2026, underpinned by expectations of broader recovery in global demand, more diverse new product launches, and significant investments in capacity upgrades made over the past year.

Building on the solid foundations established in 2025, economists at SP Global Market Intelligence forecast Vietnam’s industrial output growth at 6.7 per cent in 2026. This projection is considered realistic and achievable as supply chain bottlenecks ease and major FDI projects enter stable operations.

With renewed momentum, stronger confidence, and hard-earned experience in navigating challenges, Vietnam’s industrial sector is well positioned to sustain robust growth in 2026 and beyond.

VET-Nguyen Manh

The agreements were signed at the witness of Vietnam’s Party General Secretary To Lam, with total value of $37.2 billion.

Vietnam’s Party General Secretary To Lam witnessed the signing and exchange of contracts and cooperation agreements in key sectors such as science and technology, digital transformation, aviation, and health care in Washington D.C on the afternoon of February 18 (local time), according to a report from the Vietnam News Agency.

The total value of the signed and exchanged documents reached $37.2 billion, reflecting strong and determined commitments from partners as bilateral relations enter a new stage of development.

In his welcoming remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Nguyen Quoc Dung emphasised that after 30 years of normalisation of relations, Vietnam and the US have become Comprehensive Strategic Partners for peace, cooperation, and sustainable development. The two countries have transformed historical differences into a bridge of lasting cooperation based on mutual respect and understanding, and joint efforts to look towards the future.

Cooperation agreements between business communities of both countries have made significant contributions to building a strong, substantive, and balanced relationship, the ambassador noted.

He affirmed that the Embassy of Vietnam in the US pledges to continue serving as an active bridge, promoting policy dialogue, addressing obstacles, and providing the most favourable conditions for business cooperation between the two countries.

The signed and exchanged documents cover numerous important agreements in science and technology, digital transformation, aviation, and health care. Specifically, the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology granted a license to provide telecommunications services with network infrastructure (satellite fixed telecommunications and satellite mobile telecommunications networks) to Starlink Services Vietnam Co., Ltd.

Vietnam Airlines and Boeing signed a contract for the purchase of 50 Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The two sides are continuing to develop their long-term partnership through Vietnam Airlines’ first order of Boeing’s narrow-body aircraft. This order will support the airline’s efficient and sustainable growth strategy and enhance domestic and regional connectivity.

Sun Phu Quoc Airways also signed a contract to purchase 40 Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft from Boeing. The agreement will strengthen the airline’s long-haul operational capacity and help reinforce trust and promote sustainable bilateral economic cooperation between businesses of the two countries. Enhanced connectivity is expected to serve as a catalyst for tourism, investment, and trade flows between Vietnam and the US.

In addition, Vietjet inked an agreement with Pratt Whitney (a subsidiary of RTX Corporation) for the purchase of engines and maintenance services for 44 A321NEO and A321XLR aircraft powered by GTF engines. The carrier also signed a financing agreement with Griffin Global Asset Management for six Boeing 737-8 aircraft.

In the healthcare sector, Tam Anh General Hospital and Mevion Medical Systems signed a contract to purchase the Mevion S250-FIT proton therapy system, currently the most advanced proton cancer radiotherapy system in the US. Vietnam becomes the first country in Asia to own this advanced system, opening up new prospects for safer and more effective cancer treatment.

VNA-Van Nguyen

The rankings evaluate firms based on financial growth, employee satisfaction and environmental, social and governance (ESG) transparency.

Nine Vietnamese companies have been included in TIME magazine’s list of the 500 Best Companies in Asia-Pacific for 2026, highlighting the country’s growing corporate presence across multiple industries, the Vietnam News Agency has reported.

The rankings, compiled by TIME in partnership with Statista, evaluate firms based on financial growth, employee satisfaction and environmental, social and governance (ESG) transparency, using revenue and profit performance during 2022–24 and regional workforce surveys.

The Vietnamese representatives span property, technology, banking, consumer goods, aviation and agriculture. They include Vingroup, FPT, the Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV), Vinhomes, FPT Retail, Masan Group, VietinBank, Vietnam Airlines and Hoang Anh Gia Lai Group.

Across the regional rankings, banking and financial services remained dominant, with Singapore’s DBS Bank topping the list and Australia’s Commonwealth Bank following.

This is the second year the Asia-Pacific rankings have been published, following its debut in 2025, with the number of Vietnamese companies rising to nine.

VNA-Van Nguyen

Singapore’s exports to Vietnam rose 13.6% to SGD3 billion, while its imports from Vietnam surged 100.5% to SGD1.6 billion in January.

With bilateral trade reaching SGD4.5 billion  (around $3.5 billion) in January, up 33.9% year on year, Vietnam has retained its position as Singapore’s 10th largest trading partner.

 Singapore’s exports to Vietnam rose 13.6% to SGD3 billion, while its imports from Vietnam surged 100.5% to SGD1.6 billion. The sharp increase in Vietnamese shipments is seen as a positive sign in narrowing the trade gap and points to strong prospects for further growth in exports to Singapore in 2026.

Statistics from Enterprise Singapore show that Singapore posted a trade surplus of nearly SGD1.4 billion with Vietnam in January 2026, though this represented a 24.6% decline compared with the same month in 2025. Of the total, its domestically produced exports to Vietnam amounted to SGD710.5 million, down 6.4%, while re-exports reached SGD2.2 billion, up 21.8%.

Electrical machinery, equipment and parts (HS 85), and mineral fuels, oils and distillation products, bituminous substances and mineral waxes (HS 27), remained the largest export categories to Vietnam, with combined shipments worth SGD2.2 billion, accounting for 76.2% of Singapore’s total exports to the country last month.

However, the structures of these exports differ markedly. Electrical machinery, equipment and parts (HS 85) consisted predominantly of re-exports, making up 94.3% of the category’s value. By contrast, mineral fuels and related products (HS 27) were overwhelmingly domestically produced, with a localisation rate of 99.5%.

Other notable export groups to Vietnam in January included nuclear reactors, boilers, machinery, mechanical equipment and parts (HS 84), valued at SGD166.9 million, up 23.9%; plastics and plastic products (HS 39), at SGD72 million, down 11.6%; and essential oils, perfumes, cosmetics and toilet preparations (HS 33), at SGD57.4 million, up 35.6%.

On the import side, electrical machinery and equipment (HS 85) continued to record the highest value among goods sourced from Vietnam, at more than SGD657.8 million, a rise of 76.5% year on year, accounting for 41.4% of total imports from the country. This was followed by machinery and mechanical appliances (HS 84), which soared 333.8% to SGD 641.6 million, and glass and glassware (HS 70), at SGD 77.2 million, down 6.2%.

Other categories included mineral fuels and related products (HS 27), at SGD 43.7 million, up 385.1%; salt, sulphur, earths and stone, plastering materials, lime and cement (HS 25), at SGD 15.1 million, up 54.4%; optical, photographic, cinematographic, measuring and medical or surgical instruments and parts (HS 90), at SGD9.5 million, up 23.7%.

Mr. Cao Xuan Thang, Vietnam's Trade Counsellor in Singapore, was quoted by the Vietnam News Agency as stating that as 2026 is the first year of implementing the five-year socio-economic development plan for 2026–2030, the Vietnam Trade Office will closely follow domestic action plans and directives to implement tasks from the outset of the year.

VNA-Van Nguyen

A key highlight of the Directive is the focus on financial support. The Ministry of Finance will research green financial mechanisms specifically designed to support vulnerable cities.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has officially signed Directive No. 04/CT-TTg on behalf of the Prime Minister, calling for the enhanced implementation of the project "Developing Vietnamese Cities to Respond to Climate Change for the 2021-2030 Period."

Under the Directive, the Ministry of Construction (MoC) is tasked with leading coordination between ministries, sectors, and local authorities to refine legal frameworks and policies regarding green growth urban development. This includes the advancement of smart and green technical infrastructure, alongside the establishment of technical standards, norms, and regulations for green materials, green buildings, and energy-efficient structures.

The MoC is also directed to effectively execute tasks outlined in previous Government Decisions, specifically Decision No. 84/QD-TTg (2018) regarding the Vietnam Green Growth Urban Development Plan toward 2030, and Decision No. 950/QD-TTg (2018) on Sustainable Smart City Development for the 2018-2025 period with a vision to 2030.

Furthermore, the MoC will oversee the "National Master Plan for Urban and Rural Systems for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050." This plan will serve as the foundation for managing urban resources and implementing investment projects focused on urban upgrades, green growth, and climate resilience. The Directive sets a 2026 deadline for the completion of mandatory green building and energy-saving standards for all projects utilizing public investment capital.

A key highlight of the Directive is the focus on financial support. The Ministry of Finance has been assigned to lead research and report to competent authorities on the development and perfection of financial mechanisms and budget allocation for urban climate adaptation. Notably, the Ministry will research green financial mechanisms specifically designed to support vulnerable cities.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment is tasked with providing updated national climate change scenarios, hydrological data, sea-level rise maps, and flood maps to support urban management. They will also guide local authorities on land-use management to ensure urban development aligns with approved environmental and climate-risk planning.

The Directive requires People’s Committees at the provincial and municipal levels to immediately review and statistics high-risk areas. Localities must proactively develop and manage urban flood maps based on climate scenarios, including forecasting zones prone to landslides, flash floods, and severe inundation. These maps and data sets regarding natural disaster risks must be updated regularly to ensure the safety and stability of urban communities.

Vneconomy-Tùng Dương

The top Vietnamese leader’s participation in the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace demonstrates Vietnam’s support for and readiness to engage in the international community’s common efforts for peace and development.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam left Hanoi on February 18 morning to attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace for Gaza in Washington D.C., the US, from February 18 to 20, according to a report from the Vietnam News Agency.

The trip is made at the invitation of US President Donald Trump, who is also the Board’s Founding Chairman.

The General Secretary is accompanied by General Phan Van Giang, Politburo member and Minister of National Defence; General Luong Tam Quang, Politburo member and Minister of Public Security; Mr. Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Politburo member and Secretary of the Hanoi Party Committee; Mr. Le Hoai Trung, Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs; and Mr. Pham Gia Tuc, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Chief of the Party Central Committee’s Office.

The Vietnamese delegation also include Mr. Nguyen Van Thang, member of the Party Central Committee and Minister of Finance; Ms. Nguyen Thi Hong, member of the Party Central Committee and Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam; Mr. Le Manh Hung, member of the Party Central Committee and Acting Minister of Industry and Trade; Mr. To An Xo, Assistant to the Party General Secretary, in charge of the Party General Secretary’s Office; and H.E. Nguyen Quoc Dung, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US.

The top Vietnamese leader’s participation in the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace demonstrates Vietnam’s support for and readiness to engage in the international community’s common efforts for peace and development. This is also a move to implement the agreement on cooperation in international affairs within the framework of the Vietnam – US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

VNA-

The new era demands the implementation of “comprehensive foreign affairs at a new height”: Ensuring national interests at the highest; taking peace, independence, self-reliance and self-strengthening as the foundation; placing the people at the centre of all policies; and considering contributions to the international community as a responsibility.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam has written an article stressing the promotion of comprehensive foreign affairs at the new height.

The following is the full text of the article, through a translation by the Vietnam News Agency:

PROMOTING COMPREHENSIVE FOREIGN AFFAIRS AT NEW HEIGHT

To Lam

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee

Looking back at the history of Vietnam’s revolution, the nation’s fortunes have always been closely linked to the transformations of the times. Immediately after gaining independence, President Ho Chi Minh stated that “after the issue of defence, foreign affairs are an essential matter for an independent country,” strongly affirming the role and responsibility of foreign affairs for the nation and its people.

The 14th National Party Congress marked a historic milestone, opening the door to a new era for the nation. Under the guiding light of the 14th Congress, foreign affairs – a key and regular task – will be carried out comprehensively at a new height. Vietnam’s heartbeat will resonate with that of the world, breathe in rhythm with the spirit of the age, creating peace, fostering prosperity, and building a higher and more solid position for the country and the people.

Vietnam at the threshold of a new era

The world is witnessing rapid, intense, far-reaching and epochal transformations. Global trends are intertwined and sometimes contradictory – becoming more interconnected and interdependent, yet also more divided and competitive. Humanity is entering a period fraught with risks but also with new opportunities for development. No country, whether large or small, developed or developing, can stand outside the currents of the times.

On the one hand, the multilateral international system and international law are being eroded; sovereignty disputes and territorial conflicts are increasing. Political and economic competition goes hand in hand with the race to control technology, energy, and strategic infrastructure. Both traditional and non-traditional security challenges are intensifying in both scale and complexity. On the other hand, contemporary trends of peace, cooperation, development, sustainable and inclusive growth, and globalisation continue to advance. The majority of the international community aspires to build a democratic, fair, and equitable world order based on international law. The scientific and technological revolution is opening up boundless development space grounded in knowledge and human potential.

The 14th National Party Congress marks a new era for the Vietnamese people after 96 years under the Party’s leadership, 80 years of independence, and 40 years of renewal. Following the era of independence, freedom and socialism-building and the era of renewal, the country is now entering an era of prosperous development, civilisation, and happiness, striving to stand shoulder to shoulder with major powers across the five continents.

The period of implementing the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress (2026–2031) is a pivotal and decisive phase for achieving breakthroughs toward becoming a developed, high-income country with advanced standards. Otherwise, Vietnam risks repeating the lesson of being trapped in the middle-income trap, as structural bottlenecks in the development model and national governance gradually surface. History shows that in transitional periods between the old and the new, failure to keep pace with the world and the trends of the times makes the risk of falling behind more imminent than ever.

Advancing comprehensive foreign affairs at new height

“Converging” the imperatives of the times and the requirements of the country, the realisation of the two 100-year strategic goals is a political-historical commitment of the Party to the people and the international community. Human history has proved that any nation possessing strategic proactiveness and grasping the strength of the era to enhance its internal capacity will gain success. Throughout the course of human history, global practice has shown a consistent rule: no powerful and developed nation has done so without building strong foreign affairs. In today’s world, the security and development of each country cannot be isolated from or stand outside the impacts of the world and the times, of circumstances and international landscape.

At historic moments, the country requires historic decisions. The new era demands the implementation of “comprehensive foreign affairs at a new height”: Ensuring national interests at the highest; taking peace, independence, self-reliance and self-strengthening as the foundation; placing the people at the centre of all policies; and considering contributions to the international community as a responsibility. At this new height, foreign affairs will be carried out with greater confidence, autonomy, self-reliance and self-resilience; contributing more effectively to the country’s strategic goals; and demonstrating a greater sense of responsibility toward peace and development in the world.

That is comprehensive foreign affairs work at the new height in terms of objectives. All external activities are directed toward ensuring national interests at the highest, for a strong Party, for a prosperous and powerful Vietnam, and for the people’s well-being and happiness; toward deep and extensive international integration with an important position and role in world politics, the global economy and human civilisation; and toward contributing to peace, stability, justice, social progress and the prosperous development of nations in the region and throughout the world.

That is comprehensive foreign affairs work at the new height in terms of fields. Comprehensive foreign affairs work is not a separate field but is closely linked with national defence, security, economy, science, technology, culture and society, thereby creating combined strength to serve the Fatherland building and safeguarding cause. The comprehensive foreign policy places socio-economic development at the centre, regarding diplomacy that serves development and international integration as a key and regular task.

That is comprehensive foreign affairs work at the new height in terms of actors. Comprehensive foreign affairs work is the cause of the entire Party and the entire people, promoting the role of all three channels of external relations: Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, and people-to-people diplomacy, while mobilising the participation of external relations of the National Assembly, ministries, agencies, sectors, and localities; ensuring coordination between foreign affairs and national defence and security, and between political diplomacy and economic, cultural, scientific and technological diplomacy.

Implementing the “key and regular” task of foreign affairs

Comprehensive foreign affairs at the new height represent a combination of inheritance and development. The foreign policy continues to steadfastly pursue independence, self-reliance and self-strengthening; peace, friendship, cooperation and development; multilateralisation and diversification of external relations; being a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community. At the same time, it continues to develop and absorb the quintessence, knowledge and methods of modern diplomacy, imbued with the spirit of “utilising the invariables in response to variables.” The path of peace, independence, self-reliance and self-strengthening is not only to build a prosperous and strong country for its people, but also to contribute responsibly to regional peace and stability and to a rules-based international order. That is the guiding principle, the moral foundation and the fundamental principle for building sustainable external relations.

At the same time, comprehensive foreign affairs work is elevated to a new height, in which foreign relations and international integration must be regarded as a “key and regular” task. This marks an important development in thinking, whereby foreign relations and international integration are identified as among the principal tasks of foremost importance; at the same time, they must be carried out on a regular basis, requiring proactiveness, acuity, timeliness and high effectiveness. This line of thinking places foreign affairs in a central position, with greater responsibility and role in safeguarding national security and promoting national development: Firmly maintaining peace to ensure stability, ensuring stability to foster development, and advancing development to enhance the country’s overall strength. Accordingly, comprehensive foreign affairs at the new height will implement key and regular tasks along the following directions:

First, foreign affairs must promote their pioneering role, performing the essential and regular task of creating a favourable international environment for the country. The more the world fluctuates, the more vital and decisive the consolidation of peace and stability for the country becomes. Foreign affairs must demonstrate “strategic proactiveness” in all circumstances, ensuring that “the inside is warm and the outside is calm”: maintaining stability and development internally while preserving peace and cooperation externally. Together with national defence and security, foreign affairs must resolutely and persistently safeguard the independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the Fatherland; protect the Party, the State, the People and the socialist regime; protect the cause of renewal, industrialisation and modernisation; protect national and ethnic interests; safeguard political security, social order and safety, and culture; and maintain political stability and a peaceful environment for national construction and development along the socialist orientation. At the same time, it is necessary to promote the resolution of differences through peaceful means on the basis of international law and the UN Charter.

Second, foreign affairs are a driving force in creating favourable conditions, mobilising external resources and opening new development space for the country.

The world is being shaped by new trends, and successful nations are those that proactively grasp opportunities, move ahead, and position themselves within the flow of the times. The task of external relations work is to identify and seize opportunities arising from trends currently shaping the global economy, such as innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, quantum technology and automation; to transform fine political relations into concrete economic outcomes that are measurable and directly beneficial to the people through economic agreements, and trade and investment accords, and that support Vietnamese enterprises in expanding globally and participating more deeply in regional and global supply chains.

Third, foreign affairs demonstrate a high sense of responsibility toward the international community, contributing to the building and safeguarding of a fair and equitable international order based on international law. In a globalised world, the interests of the nation, Vietnamese citizens and enterprises extend beyond territorial borders. Protecting Vietnam’s national interests is inseparable from protecting a fair and equitable world order grounded in international law. The country’s new stature and strength enable it to contribute actively and responsibly to common global issues. As President Ho Chi Minh once said, “Having benefited from the good of others, we must also have something good for others to benefit from,” Vietnam will continue to realise its commitments on sustainable development, food security, climate change and net-emissions reduction; while participating more deeply in peacekeeping, search-and-rescue operations, humanitarian assistance, mediation and reconciliation, and promoting a core and leading role in important and appropriate issues and mechanisms.

Fourth, promoting the nation’s “soft power” commensurate with its historical and cultural stature, and the country’s political and economic position. National standing and prestige do not lie solely in material strength but also in “soft power”. This includes a heroic history, a culture imbued with national identity, the great and historically significant achievements of the renewal process, a foreign policy of peace and goodwill, the harmonious, reasonable and principled handling of international issues in respect for international law, and the sympathy and support of people around the world. At the new level, foreign affairs must contribute to enhancing the country’s position and influence in global politics, the world economy and human civilisation.

Fifth, building a comprehensive, modern and professional foreign affairs and diplomacy sector. The new era requires the sector to be developed at a level comparable with the region and reaching international standards. External relations personnel and diplomats must dare to think, dare to act, dare to innovate, and dare to pioneer and make breakthroughs for national-ethnic interests; be perceptive about the times, deep in strategy, disciplined in conduct, and equipped with internationally competitive skills and qualifications. Comprehensive foreign affairs are not the responsibility of a single ministry or sector, but the undertaking of the entire people and the whole political system in order to generate combined national strength.

Amid global changes, comprehensive foreign affairs at a new level must take mettle and intellect as its lodestar; trust and responsibility as the bridge of cooperation; and goodwill and the rule of law as the anchor of values. We believe that Vietnam’s foreign affairs will continue to create and preserve peace and stability, expand development space and elevate the country’s standing, contributing to the fulfilment of President Ho Chi Minh’s sacred final wish: “My ultimate desire is that our entire Party and people unite in striving to build a peaceful, unified, independent, democratic and prosperous Vietnam, and to make a worthy contribution to the world revolutionary cause.”

VNA

VNA-

The implementation timeline will align with the roadmap following the issuance of the Decree detailing the Law on Technology Transfer (No. 07/2017/QH13) and the amended Law (No. 115/2025/QH15) to ensure synchronized enforcement.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Chí Dũng has signed Decision No. 269/QD-TTg, dated February 12, 2026, promulgating the Implementation Plan for the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Technology Transfer (the Plan).

Under the Plan, the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) is tasked with leading and coordinating with the Ministry of Justice, the Government Office, and relevant ministries, agencies, and localities to draft and issue a Decree detailing the implementation of several articles of Law on Technology Transfer No. 07/2017/QH13 and the amended Law No. 115/2025/QH15. This draft is scheduled for submission within February 2026.

MoST, along with other ministries, ministerial-level agencies, government-attached agencies, and the People's Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities, will review and systematize legal documents related to the Law within their respective state management scopes. These authorities are required to amend, supplement, replace, or abolish existing documents—or issue new ones—to ensure full compliance with the Law and its detailing regulations.

The implementation timeline will align with the roadmap following the issuance of the Decree detailing the Law on Technology Transfer (No. 07/2017/QH13) and the amended Law (No. 115/2025/QH15) to ensure synchronized enforcement.

Based on their assigned functions and duties, MoST and relevant local and central authorities will provide regular guidance on applying the legal documents that detail the Law's implementation.

Furthermore, these agencies will be responsible for receiving and processing feedback and proposals from organizations and individuals during the implementation process. They are also tasked with reviewing, evaluating, and updating relevant database systems.

Based on the Plan’s contents and practical local conditions, the assigned ministries, sectors, and localities are responsible for integrating this implementation plan into their general programs and reporting the results to the Prime Minister as regulated.

Vneconomy-Hạ Chi

The exhibition will feature nearly 1,000 booths from over 450 domestic and international enterprises representing 21 countries and territories.

The Vietnam International Trade Fair for Apparel, Textiles and Textile Technologies (VIATT 2026) is set to take place at the Saigon Exhibition and Convention Center (SECC) from February 26 to 28.

The event is hosted by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, organized by the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency (VIETRADE) in collaboration with Messe Frankfurt (Germany).

Building on the success of the 2025 edition, which saw a 13% increase in exhibitors compared to 2024, VIATT 2026 will expand its scale by an additional 20%, growing from 15,000 sq.m to 18,000 sq.m. The exhibition will feature nearly 1,000 booths from over 450 domestic and international enterprises representing 21 countries and territories.

Product categories include apparel, home textiles, technical textiles and non-wovens, as well as textile processing and printing technologies. The event will host numerous major global brands, including Thomas Mason by Albini 1876, Murata Machinery Ltd, Yagi Co Ltd, Tamurakoma Co Ltd, IDOLE Trading, Alumo AG, Thomas Clifford Ltd, and CoolisT Life Technology Co Ltd.

According to  Mr. Vu Ba Phu, Director General of the Vietnam Trade Promotion Agency under Ministry of Industry and Trade, VIATT 2026 aims to boost the development of the domestic textile industry, upgrade production technology, enhance sustainability, and expand the technical textile sector. It serves as a prime opportunity for international businesses to tap into the growth potential of the Vietnamese and ASEAN markets, while helping local firms connect effectively with global buyers.

In line with the objectives of a circular economy and the transition to green energy, VIATT 2026 will continue to provide a high-value networking platform for businesses committed to sustainable development via the Econogy Hub. This dedicated showcase features eco-friendly materials, sustainable production processes, and international certification standards. The platform aligns with Vietnam’s goal of building a circular textile economy by 2050, focusing on innovations such as organic fibers, recycled yarns, and eco-friendly dyeing technologies.

VIATT 2026 will debut a specialized zone for Textile Chemicals and Dyes. This area will introduce additives for chemical recycling, fiber production, finishing, surface coating, and pretreatment chemicals for weaving and knitting, alongside a wide range of dyes and pigments.

Parallel to sustainability initiatives, the exhibition will expand its Inno-Digital Solutions zone. This area brings together cutting-edge technologies that optimize design, production, and supply chain management—ranging from AI-powered pattern simulation to advanced automation systems. These solutions are expected to enhance the operational capacity of Vietnam's textile industry, opening doors to new markets and high-tech transformation.

Following its successful debut in 2025, the Laboratory for Artificial Intelligence in Design (AiDLab) will return to VIATT 2026 with its advanced WiseEye fabric inspection technology. This solution enables the automatic detection, classification, and evaluation of defects in textile materials.

Vneconomy-Song Hà

The primary driver for this growth was the high demand during the Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse), particularly in the Chinese market, where partners significantly increased imports of processed cashews for holiday consumption.

Vietnam’s exports of processed cashew kernels in January reached 65,000 tons, valued at $434 million. 

This represents a sharp increase of 73.6% in volume and 70.1% in value compared to the same period in 2025, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

The primary driver for this growth was the high demand during the Lunar New Year (Year of the Horse), particularly in the Chinese market, where partners significantly increased imports of processed cashews for holiday consumption.

China continued to be the largest market for Vietnamese cashews in the first month of the year, posting a 49.4% year-on-year growth rate and accounting for 21.3% of Vietnam's total cashew export value. The United States followed as the second-largest consumer.

The year 2025 marked a major milestone for the industry as export turnover hit $5.2 billion. This achievement made cashews the third Vietnamese agricultural product to surpass the $5 billion mark in a single year, following fruit and vegetables, and coffee. During that year, the industry imported over 2.9 million tons of raw cashews valued at $4.5 billion, resulting in a trade surplus of more than $700 million.

Notably, 2025 also marked the first time China overtook the US to become Vietnam’s largest cashew export market, with turnover reaching $1.115 billion. The US ranked second at $975 million, followed by the Netherlands at $495 million.

According to Mr. Bach Khanh Nhut, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Cashew Association (VINACAS), the surge in exports to China was driven by the country’s economic recovery, a rising demand for health-conscious food products, and the proactive efforts of Vietnamese enterprises to meet stricter partner standards. Conversely, exports to the US in 2025 saw a decline of 26% in volume and 17% in value compared to 2024, reflecting ongoing challenges in this traditional market.

However, U.S. President Donald Trump's decision of November 14, 2025 to remove tariffs on more than 200 food items, including cashews, is expected to be a vital catalyst for the recovery of Vietnam's cashew export to the US market throughout 2026.

Vneconomy-Chu Minh Khôi

The Board of Peace, initiated by President Donald Trump, follows a United Nations Security Council resolution from November 17, 2025, aimed at promoting peace and supporting reconstruction efforts in Gaza.

General Secretary  of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam will attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace  in the United States from February 18-20, at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on February 17.

Initiated by President Donald Trump, the Board of Peace follows a United Nations Security Council resolution from November 17, 2025, aimed at promoting peace and supporting reconstruction efforts in Gaza.

Earlier, on January 16,  President Donald Trump sent a letter to General Secretary To Lam, inviting Vietnam to join the Gaza Peace Board  as a founding member state, together with the international community, to promote a sustainable peaceful solution to the Israel–Palestine conflict in the Gaza Strip.

General Secretary To Lam accepted the invitation and affirmed that Vietnam is willing to participate as a founding member state of the Peace Board, together with the U.S. and the international community, to make active contributions toward a long-term, comprehensive solution to the Middle East peace process, including the establishment of a Palestinian state living peacefully alongside the State of Israel.

This is the second visit to the U.S. by a top Vietnamese Party leader. Former Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong became the first Party leader to visit the U.S. in July 2015, four decades after the liberation of the South of Vietnam and two decades since the normalization of the bilateral relations between Vietnam and the United States.

vneconomy-Van Nguyen

Vietnam is seeing continual improvements in its startup ecosystem and has posted consecutive annual increases in global and regional rankings.

The notion of a “startup nation” has become a strategic pursuit in recent years for many economies seeking sustainable growth and structural transformation. Vietnam, for its part, has displayed notable progress in the Global Startup Ecosystem Index (GSEI), compiled by StartupBlink.

According to the 2025 report, Vietnam ranked 55th worldwide, up one place from 2024, and retained fifth spot in Southeast Asia. This marks the third consecutive year of improvement for the country, reflecting a more robust domestic startup ecosystem backed by stronger institutions, growing resources, and expanding support networks. But behind this lie enduring challenges in legal frameworks, venture capital capacity, and the proportion of innovative startups.

Burgeoning ecosystem

Vietnam has maintained a steady upwards trajectory in the GSEI since 2020, ranking 59th in 2020, 58th in 2023, 56th in 2024, and now 55th in 2025. Local startup hubs have also made notable strides forward, with Ho Chi Minh City ranking 110th globally (its highest position to date), Hanoi 148th (up nine places), and Da Nang 766th (up 130 places). This progress indicates that Vietnam’s startup ecosystem is gradually expanding beyond its two traditional powerhouses of Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.

Structurally, Vietnam’s innovation-driven startup ecosystem stands out in three key areas: a young and dynamic talent pool, a diverse network of startup support organizations, and active government coordination. However, it continues to face three main constraints: an unclear legal framework, limited domestic venture capital capacity, and underdeveloped innovation infrastructure.

As a result, innovative startups make up only about 0.4 per cent of the country’s 940,000 active enterprises, equivalent to just 0.4 innovative startups per 10,000 people. Only two Vietnamese startups have reached valuations of $2-3 billion. Venture capital inflows into the country have actually been declining since peaking at roughly $1.4 billion in 2021, falling to just $500-600 million in recent years.

There are currently fewer than 40 Vietnamese venture capital funds, with total capitalization of only $20-30 million. The establishment and operation of such funds are governed by Decree No. 38/2018/ND-CP, which details investment regulations for small and medium-sized innovative startups.

Towards a distinct model

To better understand Vietnam’s position as an innovation-driven startup nation, it is useful to compare it with three representative models: Singapore, Israel, and South Korea - each of which exemplifies a distinct approach to startup ecosystem development.

Singapore, which is ranked fourth globally in the GSEI, follows a public-private co-investment model, called Startup SG Equity, focuses on deep-tech sectors, and adopts flexible visa policies such as EntrePass. Israel, ranked fifth, stands out with its Yozma Fund model, “seed capital” mechanisms, and high-tech infrastructure coordinated by the Israel Innovation Authority. And South Korea, ranked 12th, has succeeded through its Tech Incubator Program for Startup (TIPS) initiative, which fosters close connections with major conglomerates.

To build itself into a true innovation-driven startup nation, Vietnam must design mechanisms and policies that foster a culture of innovation across society. Its greatest asset lies not in land or natural resources but in the intellect of its people. Vietnam needs to accelerate entrepreneurship and invest in AI infrastructure, develop co-investment frameworks, nurture talent, and create startup visa schemes, similar to EntrePass or the Startup Korea Visa. It should also establish a set of key performance indicators (KPIs) covering startup numbers, funding volumes, patents, and research and development (RD) employment.

By 2030, a feasible goal would be to enter the world’s Top 45 and position itself as a new innovation hub of Southeast Asia, one that integrates legal, technological, investment, and human capital dimensions with a distinctly Vietnamese character.

Regarding innovative small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), the 2017 Law on SME Support defines “innovative startup SMEs” as those established to commercialize ideas based on intellectual property, technology, or new business models, with high growth potential. Decree No. 04/2017/ND-CP provides further details, defining investment in such enterprises as capital contributions through equity participation or share purchases in non-public innovative SMEs. These law and decree outline conditions and support measures for innovative startups.

To further advance the vision of a national startup ecosystem, it is essential to review and assess the implementation of these legal instruments, providing a foundation for future policy refinement in support of innovative enterprises and Vietnam’s broader startup nation goals.

(*)Lawyer Bui Van Thanh is the Director of New Sun law firm

VET-Lawyer Bui Van Thanh (*)

Enterprises have responded to tax authorities reforming their operations by improving compliance but issues remain.

As Vietnam’s taxation sector accelerates its reform efforts and digital transformation, local businesses have made notable strides forward in tax compliance over recent years. According to the General Department of Taxation (GDT) at the Ministry of Finance, 99.6 per cent of enterprises now file taxes online, 98.9 per cent make e-payments, and the system has processed nearly 19 billion e-invoices. All tax refund procedures are also handled entirely through digital platforms. These figures highlight the deep penetration of digitalization in tax administration, helping to significantly cut compliance costs and time. Yet behind these advances in administrative reform, the country’s fiscal health still faces significant challenges.

Strengthening fiscal foundations

At the recent “Promoting self-compliance and full tax contributions - Building a strong era” workshop, held recently by the GDT, Mr. Frank van Brunschot, Senior Economic Expert in the Department of Fiscal Affairs at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), said Vietnam’s tax-to-GDP ratio in 2024 was estimated at around 13.1 per cent; well below the IMF’s recommended minimum of 15-16 per cent to ensure sustainable growth.

International experience shows that economies maintaining a tax-to-GDP ratio above this threshold tend to achieve more stable growth and greater resilience to global shocks. According to Mr. van Brunschot, a low ratio not only narrows fiscal policy space but also limits the government’s capacity to invest in key sectors such as infrastructure, education, and social welfare.

After the pandemic and a prolonged period of crises, many countries have been forced to increase public spending to drive recovery, while rising interest rates and growing fiscal risks are tightening the room for new borrowing. This makes the need to strengthen State revenue even more urgent, though raising tax rates is far from an easy fix.

Economically, higher taxes can undermine competitiveness, discourage investment, and slow growth. Socially, heavier tax burdens often face strong pushback from businesses and citizens, especially in a fragile post-crisis recovery period.

That’s why, he stressed, the key challenge for many countries lies not in raising tax rates but in improving the efficiency of domestic revenue mobilization - boosting collection without adding pressure on the economy. This requires comprehensive institutional reforms, stronger tax administration capacity, and an expanded tax base to ensure fairer burden-sharing among taxpayers.

Mr. van Brunschot pointed to compliance risk management as one of the most effective solutions. A risk-based approach allows tax authorities to focus resources on high-risk groups, improve transparency, and strengthen public trust. Evidence shows this model has worked well in countries such as Australia, Poland, and the Philippines - enhancing revenue performance, cutting compliance costs, and increasing business satisfaction.

From a global perspective, the challenge for Vietnam is not simply to “collect more” but to “collect more sustainably” - built on understanding and voluntary compliance. Ultimately, effective tax collection depends on trust. Without it, even the most modern reforms risk falling short.

Bridging the compliance divide

Mr. Hoang Quang Phong, Vice President of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI), said incorrect or delayed tax filings remain widespread, partly because many companies still struggle to keep up with new regulations. In 2024, tax authorities conducted over 62,900 inspections and audits, recommending financial settlements totaling VND62.7 trillion ($2.4 billion). Some back taxes reached hundreds of billions of VND, especially in high-risk sectors like real estate, construction, and imports-exports.

The booming e-commerce market has also emerged as a hotspot for violations, with more than 33,000 cases handled in 2024 and back taxes and penalties totaling nearly VND1.4 trillion ($56 million). Meanwhile, tax arrears remain a growing concern, rising 12 per cent year-on-year to VND219.6 trillion ($8.4 billion) by the first quarter of 2025, about 40 per cent of which is considered recoverable.

Transfer pricing and false loss reporting continue to plague foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs). In 2024, authorities inspected 711 enterprises engaged in related-party transactions, mostly FIEs, collecting over VND1.6 trillion ($61 million) in additional taxes and penalties, eliminating VND8.6 trillion ($327 million) in false losses, and adjusting taxable income upwards by nearly VND5 trillion ($190 million). These figures underline the difficulty of detecting and managing complex cross-border transactions.

The gap between policy and practice is also evident in the varying levels of tax compliance across business groups. While compliance behavior reflects intent, compliance capacity depends on each firm’s ability to meet tax obligations under its specific conditions, anchored on three key pillars.

First, in terms of understanding and applying tax laws, digital transformation has improved access to information. However, the ability to interpret and apply evolving regulations remains limited, particularly among small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that lack specialized tax staff or skilled personnel.

Second, regarding management capacity, digitalization has improved transparency in accounting and financial oversight but demands stronger operational skills. In practice, most SMEs still operate under ad-hoc accounting models, relying on individuals or outsourced service providers. This weakens internal control, fragments data systems, and limits the early detection of violations.

Third, and most importantly, is trust and cooperation between businesses and tax authorities. Companies with in-house tax departments tend to comply better thanks to transparent record-keeping and clearer reporting. In contrast, most SMEs depend on individual accountants and lack centralized data, leaving them more vulnerable to unintentional errors.

Rebuilding trust

To narrow the gap between policy and practice, experts say tax reform must go beyond technical tweaks or tougher penalties. The real priority, they argue, is to rebuild taxpayer trust - because fairness, transparency, and partnership between authorities and businesses form the foundation of a modern, sustainable tax system.

According to Associate Professor Le Xuan Truong, Head of the Faculty of Taxation and Customs at the Academy of Finance, fairness is central to fostering voluntary tax compliance. Fairness should be viewed in two dimensions: vertical fairness - where higher-income earners contribute more, and horizontal fairness - where people in similar circumstances bear the same obligations.

He noted that while some adjustments have been made, current tax policies have not kept pace with changes in income and prices. He added that the progressive tax brackets also need revision to prevent middle-income earners from being pushed into higher bands, reducing incentives to work and save. The current framework applies rates from 5 to 35 per cent on annual incomes between VND60 million and VND960 million ($2,300-$36,500). After a decade in which average incomes have nearly quadrupled, this structure is outdated. Likewise, taxes on securities transfers should be based on actual profits rather than gross revenue to reflect true tax capacity and encourage long-term investment.

Ms. Nguyen Thi Cuc, Chairwoman of the Vietnam Tax Consultants’ Association, said improving compliance requires a mindset shift, from “control and supervision” to “support and partnership”. A well-functioning tax ecosystem, she noted, not only reduces business costs but also saves resources for the State, strengthening sustainable revenue collection.

However, she added that administrative penalties remain inflexible, with little distinction between the scale or severity of violations. She proposed adding automated tax reminders to e-filing and e-payment systems, helping individuals and small businesses meet deadlines and avoid any accidental violations.

Ms. Cuc also emphasized that stronger tax compliance depends not only on policy reform but on institutional efficiency and fair enforcement. Small businesses, she noted, face mounting non-tax costs, from market management fees to food safety inspections, which add to their financial pressure. “Reducing these extra costs would motivate small traders to comply more fully with their tax obligations,” she believes.

Ultimately, she continued, even the best policies will fail to earn public trust without transparency in enforcement. Ensuring fairness across taxpayer groups, cutting unnecessary social costs, and improving administrative openness are essential to building a culture of voluntary compliance.

VET-Lan Nhi

The 51-km expressway connecting Ho Chi Minh City with southern Tay Ninh province.

Ho Chi Minh City plans to break ground in April on Sub-project 1 of the HCM City–Moc Bai Expressway after selecting an investor for the project’s main component under a public–private partnership (PPP) model, according to the city’s Project Management Board for Investment and Construction of Transport Works.

The main section of the expressway will be implemented under a build–operate–transfer (BOT) contract and is currently in the investor selection phase.

The expressway will stretch 51 kilometres, including 24.7km passing through Ho Chi Minh City and 26.3km in southern Tay Ninh province. The route will connect Ring Road No. 3 in HCM City with National Highway 22 in Tay Ninh.

Moc Bai (Tay Ninh) is a border gate between Vietnam and Cambodia.

In its initial phase, the expressway will feature four lanes with a maximum design speed of 120 kilometres per hour.

Total investment for the project is estimated at more than VND19.6 trillion (US$749 million), of which VND9.674 trillion will come from the State budget, with the remainder to be mobilised by the investor.

The project is divided into four sub-projects. Sub-project 1 covers construction of the expressway under the BOT contract. Sub-project 2 involves the development of frontage roads and overpasses. Sub-projects 3 and 4 focus on land clearance, compensation and resettlement in Ho Chi Minh City and Tay Ninh province.

VnEconomy-Thanh Thủy

The resolution figures out Vietnam's development vision and targets for the next five years (2026-2030) and beyond

Following  is the full text of the Resolution of the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam,  through a translation by the Government News: :

The 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam took place from January 19 to January 23, 2026 in Hanoi. After discussing the documents submitted by the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the Congress:

RESOLVES:

I – Agree on the major contents of the aforesaid documents on evaluating the results of the implementation of the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, the results summarizing theoretical and practical issues regarding 40 years of socialist-oriented Doi Moi (Renewal) policy in Vietnam and 15 years of implementing the Party Charter (for the 2021-2025 period).

1. Results of implementing the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress

During the 13th tenure of the National Party Congress, the global landscape featured with many difficulties and challenges, many new and unprecedented issues emerged such as COVID-19 pandemic, global economic slowdown, geopolitical conflicts, and trade war; the 4th Industrial Revolution, particularly digital technology and artificial intelligence, has evolved rapidly, profoundly and comprehensively; such issues like climate change, traditional security, and non-traditional security have become increasingly complex.

Thanks to the will, aspiration for development, innovation mindset, high determination, and drastic actions, our entire Party, people and armed forces joined hearts and minds to successfully realize the Resolution of the 13th National Party Congress, our Party firmly led our country to gain important and comprehensive results, notably macro-economic stability, high growth, effective control of inflation, budget overspending and public debt, high trade surplus, and comprehensive development of the domestic market. Resources, especially the State's resources, have been effectively mobilized and utilized for development investment. Many backlogged projects, loss-making enterprises, and weak credit organizations have been completely resolved, with positive results achieved. Drastic, timely and effective measures were deployed to contain and push back the COVID-19 pandemic, such as "vaccine diplomacy", free nationwide vaccination campaign, and the pursuance of the "dual" goal of containing the pandemic while stimulating recovery and growth. National defense and security have been increasingly consolidated and enhanced; external relations and international integration have been elevated and achieved outstanding results. The building and rectification of the Party and the political system have achieved many important accomplishments, with outstanding and unprecedented breakthroughs. Particularly, a series of strategic policies have been promulgated and implemented drastically, comprehensively and effectively over the past two years to create foundation and momentum for accelerating growth. Law-making work has been innovated to remove institutional bottlenecks. The revolution to streamline and rearrange the apparatus of the political system has brought about breakthrough results, widely recognized by people and appreciated by the international community. During the past tenure, Viet Nam was a bright sport for political and security stability, and social safety and stability. Our Party has shown breakthroughs in mindset, vision and actions; innovated its leadership and governance model; proactively grasped and utilized opportunities, creating a solid foundation for the next development stage of the nation. The leadership and prestige of the Party have continued to improve and elevated, thus consolidating public confidence in the Party, the State and the socialist regime.

Beside the achievements, market institutions have slowly been improved; productivity, quality, effectiveness, resilience and competitiveness of the economy remain low. The combination of socio-economic development with ensuring national defense and security remains inadequate in certain areas. Flooding and environmental pollution have not been controlled effectively, and even become more acute, especially environmental pollution in large urban areas, industrial parks, industrial clusters. Culture has not truly become an endogenous resource and strength and a strong driving force for national development. Education and training have not really been innovated comprehensively, thus there remains many shortcomings. There are many bottlenecks in the mechanisms and policies for the development of science, technology and innovation. The implementation of the Party's Resolutions and the State's laws and policies has been innovated but this work has not kept pace with the country's requirement for breakthrough development. There are shortcomings in the personnel work, including cadre evaluation, power control, and strategic-level personnel management. Several organizations, agencies and units at communal level still encounter difficulties and confusion in performing newly assigned duties since the introduction of the two-tier local administration system. The Fatherland Front and socio-political organizations have yet performed well their functions of supervision, social criticism, and protection of people's legitimate rights and interests. People's right to mastery has yet been fully institutionalized, and in some cases, it is still violated. There remain limitations in building the law-governed socialist State. To some extent, the division of labor and coordination among State agencies in exercising legislative, executive and judicial powers remain unclear and lack cohesion; the effectiveness and efficiency of State power control are not high. The leadership role of some Party committees remains limited. Political and ideological education is sometimes not practical and lacks depth. Personnel work still has shortcomings, especially in performance evaluation of cadres; power control in personnel work is still limited in some aspects.

2. Regarding 40 years of Doi moi (Renewal)

The Renewal policy, initiated and led by our Party, is the historic choice and the process of comprehensive development of the Party's mindset, theoretical awareness, and leadership for national construction, development and protection; the great cause of historic and immense significance, opening up a new era for building Viet Nam's socialism. The great and historic achievements gained over the last 40 years of renewal result from the tireless and ceaseless efforts and the crystallization of the wisdom of our entire Party, people and armed forces, standing as the testament of the Party's right, creative and appropriate renewal policy in accordance with Viet Nam's real conditions and trends of the times. These achievements also prove that the Party's leadership, the great strength of the people, and the national solidarity block are the top decisive factors for all victories of the Vietnamese revolution, with people placed at the heart of the course of renewal, development and national protection. After 40 years of implementing the renewal policy, our Party concluded valuable lessons for our country's revolutionary cause in the next development stage.

II- Development vision and orientations

The world has undergone epochal transformations, creating diverse opportunities and challenges that are intertwined while our country is implementing strategic policies with many new issues and very high requirements, marking a historic turning point for Viet Nam to build and protect the Fatherland in the new era-the era of the nation's rise.

Against that backdrop, the entire Party, people and armed forces must promote the great national solidarity block, join hearts and minds to successfully realize the following key viewpoints, targets, orientations and tasks:

1. Guiding viewpoints

(1) Remain steadfast to and creatively apply and develop Marxism-Leninism, Ho Chi Minh's Thought, and the theory of the renewal policy; persistently pursue the goal of national independence and socialism; firmly promote comprehensive and synchronous reform; firmly adhere to the principles of the Party's organization and operation; maintain strategic autonomy, renew the development model, considering development as foundation for stability and stability as facilitator for fast and sustainable development, improve the lives and happiness of the people, and firmly protect the socialist Fatherland of Viet Nam.

(2) Early identify, seize all advantages and opportunities, overcome all difficulties and challenges to continue rapid and sustainable development; promote breakthrough development of science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and proactive international integration, closely combine and synchronously implement the key tasks, in which socio-economic development and environmental protection is defined as the central task, Party building as the pivotal task, cultural and human development as the foundation; strengthen national defense and security while promoting external relations and international integration is defined as the key and regular task.

(3) Strongly foster the patriotic tradition, aspiration for development, solidarity spirit, self-reliance, self-confidence, self-strengthening, and national pride; promote cultural and human power as an indigenous resource and a powerful driving force for national development.

Accelerate the formulation and comprehensive improvement of institutions for rapid and sustainable national development, resolutely and promptly remove bottlenecks and obstacles, unleash and liberate productive forces and all resources, and promote all driving forces. Establish a new growth model, promote industrialization and modernization, with science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation as the main driving forces; promote the leading role of the State economy, and develop the private economy as one of the most important driving forces; perfect development institutions in conjunction with the simultaneous implementation of digital transformation, green conversion, energy transition, structural transformation, and improvement of human resource quality; attract and utilize talent, and promote the development of new productive forces.

(4) Promote the strength, courage and intelligence of the Vietnamese people, the national solidarity block, and the people's support; combine national strength with the power of the times; proactively, resolutely and persistently fight to firmly safeguard national independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity; protect the Fatherland early and from far; closely and harmoniously integrate economic, cultural, social development, environmental protection with consolidating national defense and security, improving the effectiveness of external affairs and international integration. Ensure that national interests at the highest level on the basis of the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.

(5) Enhance the building and rectification of the Party and the political system to make them clean and comprehensive strong; strengthen solidarity and unity; ensure smooth, synchronous and effective operation of the new apparatus of the political system; improve the role, leadership and governance capacity, and strengthen the combat strength of the Party as well as the State's capacity to manage, administer and facilitate development; continuously improve the quality of cadres and Party members, ensuring they are truly exemplary in terms of political acumen, quality, competence, and prestige. Closely integrate the summation of practical experience and theoretical research with the formulation and implementation of the Party's guidelines and policies, and the State's laws and policies. Strengthen the close cohesion between the Party, the State and the people; strengthen power control, resolutely and consistently combat corruption, waste, bureaucracy, wrongdoings, "self-evolution", and "self-transformation" from within.

2. Development goals

Firmly maintain a peaceful and stable environment, fast and sustainable development, and firmly protect the Fatherland; comprehensively improve and elevate the life of the people; maintain strategic autonomy, self-strengthening, self-confidence, and advance strongly in the new era of the nation; successfully realize the goal to become a developing country with modern industry and high middle-income status by 2030; and realize the vision to become a developed, high-income country by 2045 for a peaceful, independent, democratic, prosperous, civilized, and happy Viet Nam advancing steadily towards socialism.

3. Major five-year development targets for 2026-2030

- Economic targets: Striving for annual GDP growth rate of at least 10% during the 2026-2030 period; for average GDP per capita of around US$8,500 by 2030; manufacturing and processing account for approximately 28% of GDP; digital economy accounts for about 30% of GDP. Total factor productivity (TFP) contribution reaches over 55%. Annual labor productivity increases by around 8.5% per year. Energy intensity per unit of GDP is expected to reduce by 1-1.5% per year. Urbanization rate increases to over 50%.

Total wealth accumulation reaches around 35-36% of GDP; final consumption rate reaches around 61-62%. Average total social investment reaches around 40% of GDP, with public investments accounting for 20-22%. State budget revenue mobilization rate reaches 18% of GDP during the 2026-2030; State budget overspending rate accounts for 5% of GDP.

- Social targets: Human development index (HDI) is expected to reach around 0.8; average life expectancy is expected to increase to 75.5 years, with healthy life expectancy reaching 68 years; agricultural workforce ratio is expected to reduce to below 20% of the total workforce; trained workforce rate is expected to account for 35-40%. Multidimensional poverty rate is expected to reduce by 1-1.5% per year. Striving to be among the world's top 40 happiest countries.

- Environmental targets: Forest coverage rate hovers around 42%; treatment and recycling rate of waste water discharged into river basins is projected to increase to around 65-70%; greenhouse gas emissions is expected to decrease by 8-9%; rate of production establishments meeting environmental standards is expected to reach 98-100%; total marine protected zones is projected to reach at least 6% of the country's total natural marine area.

4. Development orientations for 2026-2030

(1) Continue to strongly innovate mindset and promote the strategic breakthroughs, create a new development ecosystem, ensuring the principle of "development for stability and stability for development", ceaselessly improving people's living standard and happiness; focus on improving institutions comprehensively and synchronously for fast and sustainable development, in which political institutions are identified as vital, economic institutions as central, and other institutions as important.

(2) Establish a new growth model with an aim to further improve the productivity, quality, efficiency, added value and competitiveness of the economy; take science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as the main driving force; create new and high-quality productive forces and models, especially data economy, digital economy, green economy, circular economy; speed up digital transformation, green conversion, energy transition, structural transformation, and human resource development. Identify new growth drivers and renew traditional growth drivers based on science and technology. Formulate strong growth poles, key economic regions, and new-generation urban areas and special economic zones of regional and international significance. Strongly promote growth in tandem with maintaining macro-economic stability, controlling inflation, and ensuring the major balances of the economy. Accelerate industrialization, modernization, and urbanization. Well handle the relations between domestic production autonomy and engagement in global production network and global value chain.

(3) Build and develop an advanced Vietnamese culture, rich in national identity, and synchronous on the foundation of national values, cultural values, family values, and the standards of Vietnamese people. Comprehensively develop Vietnamese people in terms of morality, intellect, national consciousness, civic responsibility, respect for the rule of law, creativity, aesthetics, physical fitness, life skills, professional skills, and digital skills.

(4) Develop a modern national education system that is on par with the region and the world. Deeply and fully understand and consistently implement the viewpoint of considering education and training development as the top national policy, determining the future of the nation; education and training development is the undertaking of the Party, the State and the entire people. Effectively implement strategic policies in order to build a modern and fair national education system towards "standardization, modernization, democratization, socialization, and international integration". Comprehensively innovate and improve the legal system, mechanisms, and policies for education and training development. Improve the quality of human resource education and training, particularly high-quality for key and strategic fields and sectors. Promote learning society and life-long learning, develop diverse learning models and movements suitable for different groups and localities.

(5) Create breakthrough development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation. Promptly and drastically innovate and improve mechanisms and policies in favor of the development of science, technology, and spearhead industries in accordance with the market principles and international standards and practices; improve mechanisms and policies that are superior and suitable to the specific characteristics of creative labor; decisively remove barriers and bottlenecks regarding management mechanisms, investment mechanisms, autonomy mechanisms for science and technology establishments that hindering the development of science, technology, innovation, spearhead industries; encourage enterprises to invest in and apply science and technology, especially new technologies, high technologies, and strategic technologies.

(6) Manage and develop the society in a sustainable manner; ensure social progress and fairness, take care of people's life. Improve the model, mechanisms, and policies for governing and developing a modern, comprehensive, inclusive, and sustainable society; combine economic growth with ensuring social progress and fairness, protecting the environment and natural resources, proactively adapting to climate change. Develop a rational social structure based on the system of social values and standards. Encourage creative models and approaches in governing and developing sustainable communities.

(7) Manage and effectively utilize natural resources, protect the environment, proactively adapt to climate change. Synchronize laws, mechanisms, policies and planning schemes for general management and use of natural resources, for environmental protection, and nature and biodiversity conservation; prevent biodiversity degradation, maintain ecological balance. Enhance supervision, examination, and inspection, and effectively handle violations in the field of natural resources and environment.

(8) Consolidate, enhance national defense and security; build the people's army and people's police that are revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern; firmly protect the socialist Fatherland of Viet Nam. Ensure and protect national interests at the highest level, resolutely and unwaveringly safeguard national independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity of the Fatherland; protect the Party, the State, the socialist regime; protect the revolutionary, renewal, modernization and industrialization achievements; maintain and promote the national traditional cultural values, improve the nation's international standing; firmly protect national security, regime security, human security, economic security, data security, cyber-security, energy security, water resource security, and food security; strengthen all-people defense and proactive defense; prevent and push back, from early stage, factors that may undermine political stability from within; firmly maintain political security, social order and safety; firmly maintain and consolidate a peaceful and stable environment for national construction and development.

(9) Consistently pursue the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, self-strengthening, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multi-lateralization of external relations, being a responsible member of the international community; cultivate external relations in the new era commensurate with the nation's historical stature, cultural identity, and international standing. Promote synchronous and creative deployment of diplomatic activities and extensive, comprehensive and effective international integration. Safeguard and protect national interests at the highest level on the basis of the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, and fair and mutually beneficial cooperation. Actively and proactively contribute to peace, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development in the spirit of being a trusted friend and partner, an active and responsible member of the international community; proactively and responsibly engage in handling common issues in the region and the world.

(10) Strongly promote the mastery role of the people, socialist democracy, people's strength, and the country's great solidarity block. Profoundly grasp the principle "the people are the root", the people are the masters and placed at the center of the course of renewal, construction and protection of the Fatherland. All guidelines and policies of the Party and State must truly stem from the demands, aspirations, legitimate rights and interests of the people; take the respect for, guarantee and protection of human rights, civil rights, happiness and satisfaction of the people as the benchmark and goal to strive for.

(11) Continue to promote the building and perfection of the law-governed socialist State of Viet Nam of the people, by the people, and for the people, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Viet Nam. This process is part of the overall goal of building and rectifying the Party and building a clean and strong political system; build a modern, efficient and effective national governance system; build a complete legal system and ensure strict enforcement; ensure and protect justice, human rights, and civil rights. Mull over comprehensive amendments to the 2013 Constitution in accordance with the country's reality and demand in the new development stage.

(12) Continue to accelerate the building and rectification of the Party to make the Party clean and comprehensively strong; improve the Party's leadership, governance and fighting capacity. Strengthen Party building, rectification, and self-innovation so that our Party truly embodies morality and civilization. Conduct the review of the Party's 100-year leadership of the Vietnamese revolution (1930-2030), shape orientations for the Party's leadership of national development over the next 100 years (2030-2130); conduct the review of 40-year implementation of the Platform for national development in the transition period to socialism. Innovate information, education and mass mobilization work, further tighten the close relationship between the Party and the people, and rely on the people to build the Party and the political system. Ensure efficient and effective operation while improving performance quality of agencies and organizations within the political system. Strengthen and consolidate grassroots Party organizations and improve the quality of Party members. Focus on building a contingent of cadres at all levels, especially strategic-level cadres and grassroots-level cadres, and leadership positions. Step up the Party's inspection, supervision and discipline work, especially enhancing regular supervision. Resolutely and persistently intensify the fight to prevent and push back corruption, waste, bureaucracy, and negative phenomena. Continue to vigorously innovate the Party's leadership and governance methods in the new period.

5. Key tasks for 14th tenure of the Party Congress

(1) Give priority to formulating synchronous institutions for development, particularly laws, mechanisms, and policies to promptly remove bottlenecks and barriers while promoting innovation to ensure the synchronization and harmony between growth and development, between socio-economic development-environmental protection and national defense-security and diplomacy.

(2) Continue to vigorously promote the building and rectification of the Party and the political system to make them clean and comprehensively strong; comprehensively innovate governance and improve the capacity of self-innovation and self-improvement to enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the Party's leadership over the State and the society, especially in building a law-governed socialist State. Ensure synchronous and smooth operation of the newly-established model of political system, meeting the requirements of fast and sustainable national development. Continue to vigorously innovate personnel work to ensure its effectiveness and efficiency, especially in the assessment and evaluation of cadres. Build a contingent of cadres at all levels, ensuring that they are truly virtuous and talented, constantly renewing themselves and meeting the demands of their tasks. Strengthen control over power within the Party and the State; continue to vigorously step up the fight against corruption, waste, bureaucracy, and wrongdoings; consolidate people's trust and attachment to the Party, the State, and the socialist regime.

(3) Promote the development of a modern and internationally-integrated socialist-oriented market economy, under the leadership of the Party and the management of the State to meet the requirement for developing new productive forces; develop the State economic sector to ensure its leading role in safeguarding macro-economic stability and major balances, and guiding the economy, while private economic sector shall be developed to become a key driving force of the national economy; establish a new growth model, restructure the economy, promote industrialization and modernization, with science, technology, innovation and digital transformation serving as the main driver, while improving productivity, quality, efficiency, added values and competitiveness of the economy. Bolster the development of new productive forces and production models, with a focus on developing digital economy, green economy, circular economy, building a digital and environmentally friendly society.

(4) Focus on implementing strategic breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation, creating foundations for the development of new and modern productive forces, giving priority to developing strategic technology industries, particularly, semiconductor chip and artificial intelligence; step up training and use of high-quality workforce, creating key incentives for improving productivity, quality, efficiency, added values, and competitiveness of products, enterprises and the economy as a whole.

(5) Develop human resource and culture to truly become the spiritual foundation, a source internal strength and a major driving force for fast and sustainable development. Build a modern national education system on par with that of the region and the world, with a focus on improving the quality of education and training, caring for people's health. Continue to innovate the way to manage the society and sustainable development; effectively implement social policies, ensuring security, welfare, safety, and well-being for the people, especially policy beneficiaries, vulnerable groups, and the workforce in the informal sector, in accordance with Viet Nam's conditions.

(6) Continue to build the military and police forces that are revolutionary, regular, elite, and modern to firmly protect independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity of the nation. Speed up synchronous, creative and effective implementation of the diplomatic work; elevate and promote the role of Party diplomacy, State diplomacy and people-to-people diplomacy in building a environment of peace, stability, friendship, and cooperation conducive to national development.

Key strategic breakthroughs of 14th tenure of National Party Congress

(1) Create a strong breakthrough in pro-development institutions, improve the capacity to formulate and organize the implementation of the Party's guidelines and the State's laws and policies in order to unlock and utilize all resources effectively; promote decentralization and delegation of authority and powers as well as autonomy of localities; promote breakthrough development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation; ensure the State economy plays a leading role in the national economy while promoting the development of the private economy; build a new startup ecosystem; develop new productive forces and new business models.

(2) Focus on structural transformation and improve the quality of human resources, develop high-quality, highly skilled workforce; promote the recruitment and utilization of talents; encourage and protect dynamic and creative civil servants who dare to think, dare to act, dare to take responsibility for the common good. Strongly innovate personnel work, especially in assessment of civil servants. Build a contingent of cadres who undertake leadership and managerial roles at all levels of the political system, especially strategic-level and grassroots-level cadres who are truly exemplary, possess advanced thinking and governance capabilities that meet the requirements of the new organizational structure and breakthrough development imperative of the nation.

(3) Continue comprehensive and breakthrough development of socio-economic infrastructure, especially multimodal transport infrastructure, technological infrastructure for governance, infrastructure for digital transformation-green conversion-energy transition-climate change adaptation, and infrastructure for culture-education-sport.

III - The Congress approves the Political Report, the Report summarizing several theoretical and practical issues of 40 years of the Renewal process. The 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam shall finalize these Reports for official issuance.

IV - The Congress approves the Report on 15-year implementation of the Party Charter (2011-2025) and proposed orientations for amending and supplementing the Party Charter, submitted to the 14th National Party Congress by the 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam; agreeing not to amend and supplement the current Party Charter. The 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam shall direct the review of the implementation of the Party Charter right from the beginning of this tenure. The 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam shall conduct the review of implementation of the Party Charter right from the beginning of this term and propose amendments and supplements to the Party Charter as well as the Platform on national construction in transition period to socialism, then report to the 15th National Party Congress for consideration and approval on the occasion of the 100th founding anniversary of the Party; enhance inspection and supervision to ensure serious, united and effective implementation of the Party Charter.

V - The Congress approves the Report reviewing the performance of the 13th Central Committee of Communist Party of Viet Nam submitted to the 14th National Party Congress. The 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam shall collect comments at the 14th National Party Congress, promote strengths and overcome shortcomings to improve the quality and effectiveness of performance during this tenure.

VI - The Congress approves the results for election of 200 members to the 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, including 180 official members and 20 alternate members.

VII - The 14th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Viet Nam, Party Committees and Party organizations shall lead and successfully organize the implementation of the guidelines and policies of the 14th National Party Congress.

The National Party Congress calls on the entire Party, people, and armed forces to promote the sense of patriotism, the aspiration for development, and the strength of great national solidarity; combine domestic and foreign strengths; strongly innovate mindset while unifying will and actions; comprehensively and effectively implement the strategic policies; successfully implement the Resolution of the 14th National Party Congress for a peaceful, independent, democratic, strong, prosperous, civilized, and happy Viet Nam firmly moving forward to socialism.

VGP-

The two signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Ho Chi Minh City on February 14.

Vietnam’s  Kim Long Motor and China's Suzhou AOJ Auto Industry Co,. Ltd  signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Ho Chi Minh City on February 14, according to a report from the Government News.

The agreement is not only a step to expand Kim Long Motor's cooperation, but also carries strategic significance for the process of elevating Vietnam's automotive industry.

This event also marks a significant step forward in the long-term development direction of the two companies, especially in the fields of research and development, production, and building a commercial vehicle supply chain, aiming to enhance the competitiveness and position of Kim Long brand automobiles in the Vietnamese and Southeast Asian markets.

This strategic cooperation framework provides impetus for Kim Long to accelerate its product development roadmap, perfect its production ecosystem, and gradually participate more deeply in the regional automotive value chain.

According to the cooperation agreement, Kim Long Motor will leverage its strengths in domestic production capacity, distribution system, and market expertise, while Suzhou AOJ will provide the technology platform, product development solutions, supply chain integration, and international implementation experience.

To realize this goal, AOJ Suzhou will provide comprehensive support from product planning, design, technical development, supply chain construction, testing to mass production support. The two sides will collaborate on developing commercial vehicle lines such as buses, vans, trucks, and the platform structure for all-aluminum passenger vehicles, creating a foundation to accelerate product development, gradually perfect the domestic supply chain, shorten time to market, optimize costs, and enhance investment efficiency.

Simultaneously, the two sides will cooperate in building supply chains, promoting the localization of components, and ensuring stable production operations in Vietnam, while establishing a strategic coordination mechanism for market development and product promotion.

In the long term, Kim Long Motor and AOJ Suzhou plan to establish an AOJ Technical Center in Vietnam and eventually build a joint Research and Development Institute to develop technology, localized products, and technical human resources for the automotive industry. This will be a crucial foundation for Kim Long Motor to maximize the localization rate so that the Vietnamese automotive manufacturing industry can truly become self-reliant in producing high-quality automobiles in Viet Nam. This is not just a strategy, but also a consistent goal of Kim Long Motor.

Addressing the signing ceremony, a representative from AOJ Suzhou shared, as quoted by the Government News,  "Kim Long Motor is a pioneering enterprise in the automotive sector in Vietnam, possessing a solid foundation and a clear development vision. We believe that this cooperation will create a breakthrough in elevating Kim Long branded vehicles to a leading position in Vietnam and the region. AOJ Suzhou is committed to long-term partnership, sharing technology and resources to jointly create sustainable value and elevate the Vietnamese automotive industry with Kim Long Motor."

The signing of the strategic cooperation agreement between Kim Long Motor and AOJ Suzhou not only opens up opportunities for the development of new technologies and products, but also demonstrates Kim Long Motor's strong commitment to systematic investment and capacity building, for a strong and robust automotive manufacturing industry in Viet Nam on the global automotive manufacturing map.

VGP-Van Nguyen