☀️ Morning digest on March 28

King Philippe underscored the importance of reinforcing solidarity between Belgium and Vietnam, especially in today's unpredictable changes in the world situation, and stressed the need for intensified cooperation between the two nations.

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

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Argentina Jorge Kreneyss affirmed that the April 30, 1975 triumph, which led to the complete liberation of the South and the reunification of Vietnam, once again demonstrated the important role played by the Communist Party of Vietnam in guiding the nation from one triumph to another.

Ambassador Huyen noted that President Évariste Ndayishimiye's visit represents a historic milestone in the bilateral relations.

Together with Presidents Ho Chi Minh, Kaysone Phomvihane and Souphanouvong, President Khamtay Siphandone, and leaders of the two countries have laid a strong foundation and wholeheartedly nurtured the Laos-Vietnam special solidarity, making it an exemplary, faithful, and pure relationship that is rare in the world.

The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam will lead a high-ranking delegation of the Party and State of Vietnam to Vientiane on April 3 to pay respects to former President of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and former President of Laos Khamtay Siphandone, who passed away on April 2.

The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, the President, the Government, the National Assembly, and the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee on April 2 sent a message of condolences to their Lao counterparts over the passing of General Khamtay Siphandone, former President of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee, and former President of Laos.

Vietnam consistently regards Russia as one of its top strategic and trusted partners in its foreign policy while Vietnam is a priority partner in Russia's foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man directed the consideration of establishing similar creative technology centres in Vietnam, based on Armenia's TUBO Centre model, to create an educational environment that helps Vietnamese youth promote self-learning and enhance their skills, particularly in science and technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation.

The PM praised the Standard Chartered for supporting Vietnamese ministries and agencies in implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in Vietnam, as well as for working with the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) to help the country achieve its sustainable development goals.

Vietnam and Belarus should make efforts to boost bilateral economic and trade relations, which are still modest compared to their potential and strengths, and create conditions for their businesses to enhance investment collaboration, and maintain the effectiveness of the Intergovernmental Committee, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The two Deputy PMs focused on discussing several measures to promote bilateral relations, such as improving transportation connections and multi-modal transport to facilitate the movement of goods between the two countries and to Asian, European, and global markets.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and a high-level delegation from the European country engaged in a series of activities in the northern port city of Hai Phong on April 2, as part of their ongoing state visit to Vietnam.

Vietnam and Russia should also identify new directions, measures, and cooperation projects in areas such as defence and security, high technology, energy, nuclear power, basic sciences, and culture and arts, said Party chief To Lam.

Belgian investors, in partnership with local stakeholders, are currently implementing three key projects in Quang Ninh, including two major industrial infrastructure developments - the Bac Tien Phong and Nam Tien Phong Industrial Parks in Quang Yen township.

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

The 13th meeting of the Central Military Commission, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man's participation in a business forum as part of his official visit to Armenia, and Vietnam's reduction of import taxes on various goods ahead of the US government's announcement of reciprocal tariffs on other nations are among news highlights on April 2.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stated that the Vietnamese delegation’s visit to Armenia not only aims to strengthen political and parliamentary relations, but also opens up opportunities to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation - areas in which both countries have great potential to exploit together.

The continuing re-organisation of the local military structure and the border guard force aims to enhance efficiency, reduce intermediary levels, strengthening their role as the core force in implementing the strategy of people's defence and people's war, ensuring the firm protection of national sovereignty and border security, Party General Secretary To Lam said.