UN Secretary-General backs Vietnam’s presidency of NPT Review Conference
United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has expressed strong support for Vietnam’s role in presiding over the 11th Review Conference of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT), underscoring confidence in constructive outcomes that contribute to global peace and security.
He showed his support at a meeting with Ambassador Do Hung Viet, Head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the UN, at the UN Headquarters in New York on April 23, during which they exchanged views on Vietnam–UN cooperation and preparations for the upcoming NPT Review Conference.
According to the UN chief, the evolving international political and security landscape poses complex challenges to disarmament and non-proliferation mechanisms. In this context, he reaffirmed his backing for Vietnam and Ambassador Viet in their leadership role at the forthcoming conference. Guterres also commended Vietnam’s contributions to multilateralism and expressed his desire to further strengthen cooperation between the UN and Vietnam, particularly in areas such as sustainable development and the settlement of global challenges.
For his part, Viet, as President-designate of the 11th NPT Review Conference, expressed appreciation for the UN Secretariat’s continued support and coordination. He highlighted the significance of the conference and voiced hope for the Secretary-General’s ongoing backing to help facilitate substantive and consensus-driven results, according to VNA.
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| UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (right) and Ambassador Do Hung Viet, head of Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the UN (Photo: Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the UN) |
The diplomat noted that Vietnam always values the UN’s support throughout its development and international integration, and looks forward to deepening cooperation across all pillars of the UN’s work, including peace and security, sustainable development and human rights.
Signed in 1968 and entering into force in 1970, the NPT is the cornerstone of the global non-proliferation and disarmament regime, with 191 member states. Vietnam acceded to the treaty in 1982.
Since its entry into force, the NPT Review Conference has been held every five years to assess implementation and advance the treaty’s universality. The 11th edition is scheduled to take place at UN Headquarters in New York from April 27 to May 22.
Following consensus among member states and nomination by the Non-Aligned Movement, Vietnam will assume the presidency of the conference, with Ambassador Viet entrusted with leading the process.
AMRO says Vietnam’s economy maintains strong momentum amid global uncertainties
Vietnam’s economy continues to maintain strong growth momentum despite global uncertainties, the ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) said in a press statement released on April 24 following its annual consultation visit to the country from March 23 to April 3.
AMRO said the economy has shown notable resilience in the face of prolonged global uncertainty, with growth supported by export-oriented manufacturing, sustained foreign direct investment (FDI) and stable domestic demand.
Chief Economist Anthony Tan said Vietnam’s economic growth is projected to ease to around 7.2% in 2026–2027 as momentum from strong export demand last year gradually weakens, while domestic demand is expected to remain stable, supported by ongoing policy measures, including the extension of value-added tax (VAT) reductions and planned public infrastructure spending.
Inflation has so far remained contained, staying below the government’s operational ceiling of 4.5%, AMRO said. However, escalating tensions in the Middle East since February 28 have pushed up global energy prices, leading to a sharp rise in retail fuel prices in Vietnam in early March. Prolonged high energy prices could weigh on growth by increasing inflationary pressures and dampening domestic demand. Continued credit growth and rising public spending are also expected to add to price pressures.
AMRO said Vietnam’s near-term macro-financial conditions require a cautious and effective policy mix to stabilise growth while containing emerging risks. Fiscal policy should prioritise targeted support for vulnerable sectors amid rising energy prices, rather than broad-based expansion, with a focus on efficient spending without exacerbating macro-financial pressures, VOV reported.
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| Photo: VOV |
The report also noted that strong growth alongside emerging financial risks suggests Vietnam needs to gradually tighten its accommodative monetary policy stance, while closely monitoring liquidity and foreign exchange conditions. Financial authorities should strengthen macroprudential oversight, particularly in real estate and household lending.
Over the longer term, AMRO said Vietnam should focus on three closely linked policy priorities. These include accelerating domestic industrial upgrading by strengthening linkages between FDI and domestic firms and increasing domestic value-added content; enhancing policy frameworks in line with the economy’s growing complexity, including modernising monetary and fiscal frameworks, revenue mobilisation and public investment management; and advancing financial sector and capital market reforms to improve capital allocation and reduce incentives for speculative capital outflows.
Vietnam firms push deeper tech alliance with South Korea
Vietnamese businesses are calling for a shift from trade ties to joint development of AI, semiconductors and cybersecurity with South Korea.
Vietnamese enterprises are calling for a fundamental shift in cooperation with South Korea, moving beyond traditional trade and investment toward jointly developing and mastering strategic technologies such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors and cybersecurity.
The proposal emerged during a roundtable and the Vietnam - Korea Economic Forum, held as part of the state visit to Vietnam by South Korean President Lee Jae Myung. The discussions highlighted a notable evolution in bilateral relations after nearly 35 years of diplomatic ties.
Since the two countries elevated their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in late 2022, cooperation has expanded significantly into high-tech sectors, innovation and digital transformation.
South Korea is currently the largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with more than 10,000 enterprises operating in the country. At the same time, both nations rank among each other’s leading trading partners, cited VNN.
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| The Vietnam - Korea Economic Forum reflects a new phase in bilateral cooperation after nearly 35 years of diplomatic relations. |
Yet businesses argue that the changing global landscape demands a new approach. As supply chains are reshaped and technology becomes the central driver of competitiveness, while green development and the digital economy set new standards, cooperation must move from breadth to depth.
Representing this shift, CMC Corporation proposed a series of strategic initiatives aimed at redefining bilateral collaboration.
Nguyen Trung Chinh, Chairman of CMC, said the Vietnam - Korea business relationship has reached a point where it can transition into a new phase. In this phase, companies would no longer act merely as commercial partners but as strategic technology partners.
He stressed that future cooperation should go beyond service provision or capital investment, focusing instead on joint transfer, development and ownership of foundational technologies, including AI, semiconductors and cybersecurity. Businesses, he added, must play a central role in driving innovation and linking the entire value chain, from research to commercialization.
Building an AI ecosystem and going global
Vietnamese firms have also begun outlining concrete components for a new cooperative ecosystem.
According to Nguyen Trung Chinh, future collaboration could revolve around five pillars: AI infrastructure and computing capacity, the data economy, AI platforms and models, AI applications in governance, and AI deployment across industries.
To make this vision viable, three foundational conditions are essential: a high-quality workforce, a governance framework for AI built on trust and ethics, and a supportive financial and institutional system. Without addressing these bottlenecks, deeper cooperation would be difficult to achieve.
These proposals align closely with CMC’s own development strategy. The company is pursuing its “AI-X” approach, aiming to become a global AI transformation enterprise based on three pillars: AI infrastructure, cybersecurity and AI solutions. Alongside this is its “Go Global” strategy, designed to bring Vietnamese technology products and services to international markets.
Within this broader vision, South Korea is seen not only as a market but as a strategic partner in expanding technological capabilities and building a global ecosystem.
CMC also revealed plans to develop a hyperscale data center in Ho Chi Minh City with a capacity of up to 150 MW, requiring an estimated investment of US$1-2 billion.
From a wider perspective, FPT Corporation Chairman Truong Gia Binh emphasized that Vietnam - Korea cooperation goes beyond economics, representing a shared journey toward development aspirations.
He pointed out that the world is facing three major challenges: high uncertainty, the transformative wave of AI reshaping entire economies, and intensifying competition as products are created faster and more cost-effectively.
In this context, he proposed establishing a strategic cooperation mechanism between the two countries, focused on tackling major challenges where both sides can act together and share benefits.
“Vietnam and South Korea once started from similar positions. South Korea has risen to become an advanced industrial nation, and Vietnam can achieve the same if it effectively leverages cooperation opportunities,” Binh said.
Tan Son Nhat airport braces for holiday surge with 750 daily flights
Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City is expected to handle around 750 flights and up to 125,000 passengers per day during the Hung Kings’ Commemoration Day and the National Reunification Day (April 30)-International Day holidays, which runs from April 24 to May 3, with peak traffic reaking about 130,000 passengers in a single day.
According to the airport authority, on average, daily flights will increase by around 12% from normal levels, with about 450 domestic and 300 international flights each day. Passenger numbers are expected to climb by 14%, with roughly 75,000 domestic travelers and 50,000 international passengers per day.
Peak travel days are forecast for April 24 and 29 for outbound domestic traffic, and for May 3 for inbound travel, when total passenger numbers could reach 130,000 per day, with up to 770 flights, VNA reported.
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| Passengers check in at Tan Son Nhat Airport on April 24, 2026. (Photo: VNA) |
To cope with the surge, the airport has coordinated with relevant agencies to implement operational plans to ensure safety, security, and smooth passenger flow. Flight schedules will be continuously updated to optimise resource allocation during peak hours. Youth volunteers will also be deployed between 5 am and 10 am to assist passengers.
Travelers are advised to prepare valid identification documents, comply with airline baggage regulations, and avoid carrying prohibited items. Arriving early is strongly recommended to prevent delays caused by traffic congestion or terminal overcrowding during peak times.
Passengers are encouraged to use public transport instead of private vehicles to ease pressure on parking areas, and to complete check-in procedures online or via self-service kiosks to reduce queuing time.
To meet rising travel demand, the Municipal Department of Construction has upgraded bus route 152 connecting the airport, switching from diesel to electric buses and increasing daily trips from 110 to 144, while ensuring smooth operations across all airport-linked routes.
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