The meeting between Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and executives of Vinamilk and its Angkormilk project in Phnom Penh on October 10, 2026 (Photo: VNA)

PM calls Angkormilk project proof of Vietnamese businesses’ success in Cambodia

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and a high-level Vietnamese delegation visited the Angkormilk project of the Viet Nam Dairy Products Joint Stock Company (Vinamilk) in Phnom Penh on October 10.

PM Hung, who was on an official visit to Cambodia, highly valued the outstanding achievements of the project, describing it as vivid proof of the success of Vietnamese investments in Cambodia that has contributed to Vietnam–Cambodia relations.

He noted that during his visit, the two sides showed the determination to strongly promote connections across various fields, including trade and investment.

The Government leader suggested that Angkormilk continue expanding its operations, strictly adhere to local laws and regulations, and ensure product quality and food safety.

The company should engage more deeply into supply chains and distribution networks to secure a stronger foothold in Cambodia, he suggested, asking it to make practical contributions to job creation, Cambodia's economic development, and community activities, thereby helping foster the two countries’ friendship, cited VNA.

Regarding the firm’s recommendations and future orientations, the PM emphasized that the Government, ministries, sectors, and localities always accompany, support, and create favorable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to invest and do business abroad, treating this as a priority.

Briefing the PM during the meeting, Vinamilk Chief Executive Officer Mai Kieu Lien stated that 2026 marks a special milestone as Vinamilk celebrates its 50th anniversary. As a national brand of Viet Nam, Vinamilk continues to affirm its position on the global dairy map, having been recognised as the World's Most Potential Dairy Brand and achieving an AAA+ rating.

In Cambodia, after more than a decade of investment, Vinamilk believes Angkormilk still holds substantial room to expand production, complete its value chain, and contribute more to the economies of both nations, she went on, adding the development of Angkormilk also helps to elevate the stature and prestige of Vietnamese businesses in the regional market.

From an initial capital of over 20 million USD, Vinamilk's total investment capital for the project has reached 51.7 million USD to date. In the 2015–2025 period, Angkormilk recorded a cumulative revenue of 573 million USD and a post-tax profit of 83 million USD.

In 2025, revenue reached nearly 104 million USD with a post-tax profit of 11 million USD. In the first nine months of 2026, revenue continued to surge by 230% and post-tax profit jumped by 238% compared to the same period last year.

The project provides stable employment for 662 Cambodian workers and has created an ecosystem of nearly 110 local suppliers employing around 10,000 workers. Vinamilk is planning to expand the Angkormilk factory to boost production capacity, according to Lien.

Viet Nam, Laos strengthen cooperation in combating transnational crime

Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang and his Lao counterpart, Senior Lieutenant General Vanthong Kongmany, met in Vientiane on October 9 to discuss bilateral cooperation and agree on measures to strengthen coordination in combating transnational crime.

At the meeting, held as part of Prime Minister Le Minh Hung’s official visit to Laos, the two officials affirm that Vietnam–Laos relations have continued to thrive across all fields, with defense – security remaining a key pillar of bilateral ties.

They highlighted cooperation breakthroughs in the economy, infrastructure connectivity, trade, investment, energy, logistics, education – training, science – technology, digital transformation and people-to-people exchanges, adding that the two countries have also worked closely within ASEAN, the United Nations, subregional cooperation mechanisms and the Vietnam–Laos–Cambodia cooperation framework.

Relevant agencies are continuing preparations for activities marking major anniversaries in 2027, including high-level meetings between the two countries’ public security leaders, according to VNA.

Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General Luong Tam Quang (left) and his Lao counterpart, Senior Lieutenant General Vanthong Kongmany, at their meeting in Vientiane on October 9, 2026 (Photo: VNA)

In recent years, cooperation between the two ministries has yielded important results, including stronger information exchanges on regional and global developments and successful joint operations against crime, particularly drug-related offences.

Building on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Viet Nam and Laos, the two ministers agreed to continue implementing the existing cooperation agreements and sharing information on cases involving individuals from the two countries.

They also agreed to establish joint task forces and coordinate investigations into criminal cases and transnational crime networks, especially drug trafficking, human trafficking and high-tech crime.

On October 8, the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security officially handed over a population management and citizen identification system to the Lao side, in the presence of Vietnamese PM Le Minh Hung and Lao PM Saleumxay Kommasith.

Viet Nam welcomes EU removal from tax non-cooperative list

Viet Nam welcomes the European Union’s decision to remove the country from its list of non-cooperative jurisdictions for tax purposes, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said on October 10.

Responding to press queries regarding the move, Hang stated that the decision reflects recognition of Viet Nam's ongoing efforts to refine legal frameworks, improve policy mechanisms, and enhance enforcement efficiency.

These measures aim to create a transparent, stable, and favorable business and investment environment in line with international standards, thereby safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises and investors, thus stepping up international economic cooperation, and improving national competitiveness, reported VOV.

Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

Viet Nam stands ready to maintain constructive dialogue and cooperation with international partners, including the EU, on the basis of equality and mutual benefit to promote tax transparency, advance corporate governance, and build a fair, favorable, and sustainable global business environment, the spokesperson added.

Viet Nam, Timor-Leste seek broader cooperation in rice, coffee and fisheries

Vietnamese Ambassador to Timor-Leste Pham Binh Dam met with Marcos da Cruz, Timor-Leste’s Minister of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Forestry, in the capital Dili on October 8 to discuss specific areas for cooperation in agriculture and fisheries and preparations for the first meeting of the Vietnam–Timor-Leste Joint Commission.

Minister Marcos da Cruz spoke highly of Vietnam’s experience in agricultural and fisheries development, noting that Timor-Leste has potential in land, livestock farming and marine resources. However, agricultural production in the country is still mostly small-scale, while fisheries infrastructure and human resources require further investment.

Timor-Leste wishes to learn from Vietnam’s experience to improve its production capacity and ensure food security.

In agriculture, the two sides identified rice and coffee as promising areas for cooperation, including the exchange of crop varieties, farming techniques and equipment, as well as training. Ambassador Pham Binh Dam proposed combining the supply of agricultural products with support for Timor-Leste in improving its domestic production capacity. He also suggested exploring trilateral cooperation models and mobilizing additional resources from international organizations and development partners.

In fisheries and the marine economy, the two sides discussed possible cooperation in aquaculture, fishing, shipbuilding, seafood processing, fisheries infrastructure development and training. They also considered applying digital technologies to monitor fishing activities, trace seafood origins, and prevent and combat illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing, VOV reported.

Photo: VOV

Minister Marcos da Cruz welcomed the interest shown by Vietnamese businesses in Timor-Leste’s fisheries and processing sectors, stressing that he wanted projects to include technology transfer and personnel training. He proposed that Vietnamese businesses engage directly with the Ministry’s specialized units to develop specific plans and assess their feasibility.

Regarding the first meeting of the Vietnam–Timor-Leste Joint Commission, to be co-chaired by the two countries’ foreign ministers, both sides stressed the need to identify priority areas, programmes, projects and cooperation documents soon.

Putting the agreements in agriculture and fisheries into practice is expected to create more opportunities for businesses in both countries, while helping improve production capacity and provide sustainable livelihoods for the people of Timor-Leste.

Viet Nam announces seven-day Tet holiday for public sector workers in 2027

Vietnamese public sector employees will enjoy seven consecutive days off for Lunar New Year, from February 4 to 10, 2027, and a four-day National Day holiday in September, according to an announcement by the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Under the Ministry of Home Affairs' announcement on the 2027 Lunar New Year and National Day holiday schedules, officials, civil servants, public employees and workers at state administrative agencies, public service units, political organizations and socio-political organizations will receive seven consecutive days off for Tet.

The holiday will begin on Thursday, February 4, 2027, corresponding to the 28th day of the final lunar month of the Year of the Horse, and end on Wednesday, February 10, the fifth day of the first lunar month of the Year of the Goat.

The seven-day break comprises five statutory Tet holidays, including two days before Lunar New Year and three days afterward, along with two compensatory days off because the public holidays overlap with regular weekly rest days.

Four consecutive days off for National Day

For National Day in 2027, officials, civil servants and public employees will have four consecutive days off, from Thursday, September 2, through Sunday, September 5.

The break includes two statutory public holidays, September 2 and the following day, September 3, plus two regular weekend days.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has instructed government agencies and public institutions to arrange their workloads appropriately to maintain essential operations and ensure uninterrupted services for organizations and the public.

Agencies must also assign personnel to remain on duty to handle unexpected or urgent matters during the holidays, VNN reported.

Photo: Pham Hai

For agencies and organizations that do not follow a fixed Saturday-Sunday weekend schedule, holiday arrangements should be based on their specific operational plans while ensuring compliance with labor regulations.

Businesses can choose their Tet holiday schedules

For employees working in businesses, employers may select one of three Lunar New Year holiday arrangements for 2027, depending on their operational circumstances.

Under the first option, employees would take one day off at the end of the Year of the Horse and four days at the beginning of the Year of the Goat.

The second option provides two days off before the lunar year ends and three days after the new year begins.

The third option allows employees to take three days off at the end of the Year of the Horse and two days at the beginning of the Year of the Goat.

Whichever arrangement employers choose, the holiday entitlement must meet the minimum requirements of Viet Nam's Labor Code.

Businesses are also encouraged to adopt schedules that give employees sufficient time to prepare for Tet while remaining compatible with their production and business activities.

For National Day, businesses must provide employees with two days off, comprising September 2 and either the preceding day, September 1, or the following day, September 3, 2027.

Employers are required to inform workers of their chosen Lunar New Year and National Day holiday schedules at least 30 days in advance.

If a statutory public holiday coincides with an employee's regular weekly day off, the employee is entitled to a compensatory day off on the next working day.

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