Vietnam values ties with Estonia – a Baltic gateway: PM

Vietnam always attaches importance to strengthening and expanding relations with traditional friends, with Estonia seen as a priority partner in the Baltic region and an active member of the European Union (EU), Prime Minister Le Minh Hung told Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna during a reception in Hanoi on April 22.

PM Hung congratulated Estonia on its recent development gains, especially its rise as a tech hub in Central and Eastern Europe and a global frontrunner in e-government. He conveyed greetings and extended an invitation to the Estonian PM to pay an official visit to Vietnam in the near future.

Building on the strong bilateral relationship and ample potential, he called for more exchanges and high-level visits to consolidate political trust and concrete gains in trade and investment.

Vietnam wants Estonia to accelerate EU ratification of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement and support the European Commission’s efforts to lift its “yellow card” on Vietnamese seafood exports, he said.

The PM highlighted digital transformation, digital economy and innovation as core pillars for deeper cooperation, alongside national defense-security, education and training.

PM Le Minh Hung (R) and Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna (Photo: VNA)

On priority areas, he praised Estonia’s strengths in technology, artificial intelligence, innovation and digital transformation, urging greater experience-sharing, technology transfer and support for Vietnam, including in e-government, comprehensive digital transformation, data centers, and cybersecurity. He also pushed stronger cooperation in robotics, smart manufacturing, industrial automation and AI applications to lift productivity and national competitiveness.

Tsahkna, in reply, said he is honoured to be the first EU foreign minister to visit Vietnam following its recent leadership reshuffle. He expressed confidence that PM Hung’s leadership would help Vietnam sustain strong growth and achieve its socio-economic targets set by the 14th National Party Congress, including ambitions for double-digit expansion.

Estonia attaches great importance to its relationship with Vietnam, viewing it as a key partner in Southeast Asia, he said, expressed a desire to deepen all-around ties in a more substantive and effective manner, according to VNA.

He voiced strong support for the PM’s major orientations and pledged close coordination to turn them into action.

Estonia stands ready to assist Vietnam in workforce upskilling, particularly in information technology, digital economy and AI, he said, noting that a delegation of about 10 Estonian firms is accompanying him to explore opportunities in areas matching Vietnam’s development needs, including digital, green and circular economy sectors as well as energy.

On the occasion, he conveyed an invitation from the Estonian PM for the host to pay an official visit to the European nation at a mutually convenient time.

Vietnam proposes “silver economy”, inclusive digital transformation at UNESCAP 82

Vietnam has proposed that the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (UNESCAP) guide the region to focus on three strategies in response to population ageing and global economic pressures.

Speaking at a discussion session on April 21 in Bangkok themed “Leaving no one behind: Towards a society for all ages in Asia and the Pacific,” held within the framework of the 82nd session of UNESCAP, Ambassador Pham Viet Hung, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to ESCAP, delivered a message on repositioning the region’s growth model under pressure from population ageing and multiple crises.

As a recent United Nations report warned that growth in Asia and the Pacific could fall to 4% due to inflation and geopolitical instability, the ambassador said placing people at the center of all policies is key to maintaining the resilience of each country.

Sharing Vietnam’s 40-year renewal process, he said the country has made strong progress, with GDP exceeding US$510 billion, per capita income above US$5,000 and a high Human Development Index (HDI) of 0.766. Vietnam is shifting to a growth model based on science and technology, while maintaining universal health insurance and sustainable social security, reported VOV.

The 82nd session of the United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP).

In response to population ageing and global economic pressures, Vietnam proposed that UNESCAP guide the region to focus on three strategies: developing the “silver economy” to turn demographic challenges into a growth driver; designing macroeconomic policies linked to social equity; and ensuring that digital transformation is inclusive.

Ambassador Pham Viet Hung stressed: “We must place science, technology, innovation and digital transformation at the heart of development strategies, while always putting people at the center. This means narrowing the digital divide and directing technology investment towards strengthening public services, healthcare and lifelong learning for all ages.”

He reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent support for multilateralism and the central role of the United Nations in global governance, while appreciating UNESCAP’s role in turning global commitments into regional action.

He emphasized that implementing the 2030 Agenda with its 17 Sustainable Development Goals requires strong coordination, and expressed confidence in regional solidarity in building a resilient, inclusive and prosperous Asia-Pacific where no one is left behind.

Vietnam–China border forces hold talks, confer Friendship Envoy title

Border guards of Vietnam and China pledged to strengthen information sharing on emerging issues at border gates, coordinate timely responses and enhance the effectiveness of control operations. They reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining order in immigration procedures, ensuring stable security in the Lao Cai–Hekou international border gate area, and promoting legal awareness among border residents.

Delegations from Vietnam’s four border guard stations, namely Lao Cai International Border Gate, Bat Xat, Muong Khuong, Pha Long, in Lao Cai province, and Hekou Immigration Border Inspection Station of China, held talks on April 22 and presented the Vietnam–China Friendship Envoy title for the first quarter of 2026.

At the talks, both sides reviewed coordination outcomes in the first quarter, focusing on border gate management, immigration control and joint efforts to combat cross-border crime. They also discussed and agreed on orientations for future cooperation.

The two sides pledged to strengthen information sharing on emerging issues at border gates, coordinate timely responses and enhance the effectiveness of control operations. They reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining order in immigration procedures, ensuring stable security in the Lao Cai–Hekou international border gate area, and promoting legal awareness among border residents to encourage compliance with regulations and policies. Both sides stressed the importance of addressing cross-border law violations while strengthening cooperation through regular talks, information sharing, liaison officers, hotlines, and joint emergency responses. They also agreed to continue exchanges, appoint friendship envoys, and collaborate to promote legal knowledge, in line with the three legal documents on the Vietnam–China land border and each country’s laws.

In addition, the two sides agreed to report to higher authorities on organising professional exchange activities, including training on detecting fake documents, and to enhance coordination in managing cross-border vehicles. Measures will be taken to ensure orderly, efficient traffic flows and avoid prolonged congestion at Kim Thanh Bridge, according to VNA.

At the signing of the minutes of the talks (Photo: VNA)

The delegations also expressed strong support for the construction of a cross-border bridge over the river linking Ba Sa (China) and Bat Xat (Vietnam), while pledging strict supervision of construction activities in accordance with the land border management agreement. Both sides aim to jointly develop the Lao Cai–Hekou border gate pairs into a model of effective cooperation along the Vietnam–China land border.

On this occasion, the heads of the two sides presented the Friendship Envoy title for the first quarter of 2026, voted by passengers and border residents, to Major Colonel Nguyen Viet Dung, deputy head of the Kim Thanh Border Guard Station No. 2 (Vietnam), and an officer of the Hekou Immigration Border Inspection Station (China).

Vietnamese short film enters Cannes 2026 competition

A Vietnamese short film has secured a place in the official competition at the Cannes Film Festival 2026, marking a notable milestone for the country’s emerging filmmakers.

On April 22, the festival’s organizers announced the shortlist for the short film category, with “Dream Is a Snail” by young director Nguyen Thien An named among the selected entries.

“Dream Is a Snail” is one of five projects supported under the CJ Short Film Project 2025. The 16-minute film follows Huy, an extra actor who develops an unusual obsession with snails after being hired as a model for a rejuvenation workshop.

The film’s visual language is crafted by cinematographer Chananun Chotrungroj, known for his work on “The Third Wife,” bringing a blend of realism and layered symbolism that evokes both intimacy and existential reflection, VNN reported.

Director Nguyen Thien An and cinematographer Chananun Chotrungroj on the set of “Dream Is a Snail.”

Through its concise runtime, the film captures the emotional journey of young individuals caught between mundane realities and elusive artistic dreams that grow increasingly abstract.

Filmmaker Phan Dang Di, who mentored Nguyen Thien An during the CJ project, described the work as possessing a natural charm with a distinctive narrative voice - both humorous and satirical - offering deeper reflections on identity and human condition.

This achievement continues the trajectory of the CJ Short Film Project in elevating Vietnamese cinema internationally. Previous participants have gained recognition at major festivals, including Pham Ngoc Lan at Berlin, Pham Thien An at Cannes, and the duo Vu Minh Nghia and Pham Hoang Minh Thy at Venice.

The Cannes Film Festival, held annually in France, remains one of the most prestigious and influential events in global cinema, renowned for celebrating outstanding artistic achievements and launching the careers of independent filmmakers.

The 79th edition of the festival is scheduled to take place from May 12 to 23, 2026. This year’s event is expected to gather leading filmmakers from around the world, with a strong presence from Asian cinema. South Korean filmmaker Park Chan-wook will serve as jury president, while French actress Eye Haidara will host the event.

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