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Officials sign cooperation documents in the presence of Party General Secretary and President of Vietnam To Lam, and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on April 15, 2026. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, China sign 32 cooperation documents

The documents include a cooperation plan between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Communist Party of China (CPC) for the 2026–2030 period; a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the Organisation Commission of the CPV Central Committee and its Chinese counterpart; and a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee.

Within the framework of the state visit to China by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and State President To Lam and his spouse from April 14-17, the two sides signed 32 cooperation documents, covering a wide range of areas.

The documents include a cooperation plan between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Communist Party of China (CPC) for the 2026–2030 period; a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the Organisation Commission of the CPV Central Committee and its Chinese counterpart; a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam, and the International Liaison Department of the CPC Central Committee. Meanwhile, the governments of the two countries signed a MoU on cooperation within the framework of the Global Security Initiative; a handover certificate for project documents supporting the preparation of a feasibility study for the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway line; and an agreement on cooperation and mutual administrative assistance in customs matters.

The other documents include an official letter on a project to build a second campus (first phase) of the Vietnam Academy of Traditional Medicine using non-refundable aid from the Chinese government, signed between the Vietnamese Ministry of Health and the China International Development Cooperation Agency; a MoU between the Ministry of Construction of Vietnam, and the National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) of China on implementing railway training cooperation to enhance capacity of Vietnamese railway personnel; a MoU on vocational education cooperation between the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam and the Ministry of Education of China.

The Ministry of Science and Technology of Vietnam and the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology of China inked a MoU on implementing a joint Vietnam-China research programme; and another MoU on cooperation in digital technology.

Meanwhile, the Ministries of Public Security of the two countries signed a protocol on the establishment, management, and operation of a ministerial-level hotline; a MoU on cooperation and exchange in culture, arts, and sports; and another MoU on cooperation in ensuring security and order in tourism activities.

The Ministries of Justice of Vietnam and China inked a MoU on cooperation on strengthening partnership in resolving civil and commercial disputes among border residents; and a cooperation programme in 2026 – 2027.

Other signed documents are MoUs on establishing a working group to negotiate and promote the construction of a cross-border economic cooperation zone, and a working group on production chain and supply chain cooperation, between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Ministry of Commerce of China; a protocol on phytosanitary requirements for the export of pomelo and lemon between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment of Vietnam and the General Administration of Customs China (GACC); a MoU on joint implementation of human resource development cooperation plan between the Ministry of Finance of Vietnam and the General Administration of International Cooperation and Development of China; Minutes of the meeting on field survey for feasibility study of an aid project for Vietnam to repair and upgrade the Vietnam-China Friendship Palace; a cooperation agreement between the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) and Xinhua News Agency of China; a MoU on cooperation between the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and Xinhua under the mechanism of the Global South Media and Think Tank Forum; a MoU on information cooperation between the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences and Xinhua; an agreement on enhancing cultural and artistic cooperation in 2026-2027 between Vietnam Television (VTV) and China Central Television (CCTV); a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam and CCTV; a MoU on enhancing cooperation between VNA and CCTV; a cooperation agreement between the CPV’s Communist Review and CCTV; a MoU on cooperation between Hanoi and Beijing for the 2026-2030 period; an agreement to establish provincial-level friendly relations between Phu Tho province of Vietnam and Shanxi province of China; an cooperation agreement on cadre training between the Party Committees of the provinces of Quang Ninh, Lang Son, Cao Bang, Tuyen Quang, and Hai Phong city of Vietnam, and the Party Committee of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China; and a MoU between the People's Committee of Lang Son province and the People's Administration of the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region on confirming the location, type, opening time, working hours, and upgrading of the Chi Ma (Vietnam) – Ai Dian (China) border gate to an international border gate.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (right) meets with IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong on April 17 on the sidelines of the 152nd IPU Assembly (IPU-152) in Istanbul, Türkiye. (Photo: VNA)

Top Vietnamese legislator meets with IPU Secretary-General on IPU-152 sidelines

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man has suggested the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) support Vietnam’s legislature in enhancing its lawmaking and supervision capacity, while enabling deeper engagement in IPU mechanisms and future hosting of regional and global parliamentary events.

Chairman Man made the suggestion in his meeting with IPU Secretary-General Martin Chungong on April 17 morning (local time) on the sidelines of the 152nd IPU Assembly (IPU-152) in Istanbul, Türkiye.

The top Vietnamese legislator spoke highly of the IPU’s role and Chungong’s contributions to enhancing cooperation among parliaments worldwide, thereby strengthening ties between the IPU and the Vietnamese NA. He also expressed his appreciation for the support and goodwill the Secretary General has extended to Vietnam over the past three tenures.

Sharing the IPU Secretary-General’s views on global and regional issues, Chairman Man noted that the world is facing fast-evolving and complex challenges, including rising conflicts, non-traditional security challenges, natural disasters, and worsening climate change. He said in that context, Vietnam remains committed to multilateralism and to the indispensable role of international institutions, including the United Nations and the IPU, in promoting peace, stability, and sustainable development.

He took this occasion to inform Chungong of Vietnam’s successful election of deputies to the 16th NA for the 2026–2031 term, with the highest voter turnout ever recorded, creating fresh momentum for implementing the country’s development orientations in the time to come.

Regarding orientations to strengthen cooperation between the Vietnamese NA and the IPU in the future, Chairman Man underscored the need to foster parliamentary cooperation in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, and sustainable development. He stressed Vietnam’s interest in closer engagement with IPU platforms and capacity-building initiatives, particularly in improving legislative quality and supervisory effectiveness.

Secretary-General Chungong, for his part, welcomed Vietnam’s strong commitment to the IPU and its high-level participation at IPU-152. He noted that, amid global uncertainties, the presence and active contributions of the key Vietnamese leader, especially his substantive remarks addressing shared international concerns, are of important significance.

The Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, self-strengthening, and diversification and multilateralisation, as well as the Vietnamese NA’s proactive and responsible engagement in inter-parliamentary cooperation, including within the IPU. He acknowledged Vietnam’s initiatives and contributions, which have left a positive mark on multilateral parliamentary forums.

As he approaches the end of his tenure, Chungong expressed gratitude for the support and partnership of Vietnam’s legislature and voiced his hope to continue working with Vietnamese legislators and partners in the future.

Chairman Man, in turn, thanked the IPU Secretary-General for his goodwill towards Vietnam’s NA and people, wishing him continued success, and expressing his hope that Chungong will remain a close and trusted partner of Vietnam.

Participants at the meeting reviewing the Voluntary Agreement Scheme (VAS) at the Tay Do Steel Co., Ltd in Can Tho city on April 17 (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam - Denmark partnership drives industrial energy efficiency gains under DEPP3

A field review of the Voluntary Agreement Scheme (VAS) in the Mekong Delta was held on April 17, highlighting efforts of Vietnam and Denmark to advance the green transition and improve industrial energy efficiency under the Vietnam – Denmark Energy Partnership Programme (DEPP3) in the 2020–2025 period.

Amid Vietnam’s push to meet its greenhouse gas reduction commitments, DEPP3 has emerged as a key lever, providing technical and policy support through VAS. The practical model of cooperation between government agencies and businesses encouraged voluntary emissions reductions, helping enterprises transition to energy-efficient production and contribute to national energy security.

Case studies from Tay Do Steel Co., Ltd. and NTSF Seafoods JSC highlighted measurable improvements in cost optimisation and carbon reduction.

At Tay Do Steel Co., Ltd, one of the region’s largest electricity consumers with monthly usage of around 15,000 MWh, energy efficiency has become a strategic priority. With technical support from DEPP3/VAS, the company invested in advanced Q91-125000 cutting and PSX-1500 shredding systems. These upgrades have increased material density and shortened the melting time from 106 minutes to 90 minutes.

The improvements are expected to save approximately 5.2 million kWh of electricity and reduce 3,451 tonnes of CO₂ annually. The company is also installing a 2 MWp rooftop solar system and electrifying its forklift fleet, targeting a 9% reduction in energy consumption by 2026.

Similarly, NTSF Seafoods JSC, a major exporter of Tra fish and shrimp in Can Tho city, has leveraged VAS support to modernise its processing operations. The firm replaced a decades-old piston compressor system with a high-efficiency screw compressor integrated with variable speed drives at its largest workshop.

According to Vice Director of NTSF Seafoods JSC Pham Bao Quoc, after upgrading half of its freezing system, electricity consumption fell by 10–12%.

These changes are expected to save around 1.7 billion VND (64,500 USD) annually in operating costs while improving workplace conditions by reducing noise levels.

Funded by non-refundable ODA from the Danish government, DEPP3 aims to help Vietnam develop a low-carbon development roadmap for its energy sector aligned with the country’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).

According to Nethe Veje Laursen, Energy Counsellor at the Danish Embassy in Vietnam, energy efficiency not only lowers costs and boosts productivity for businesses but also plays a crucial role in ensuring national energy security.

The programme focuses on three pillars - strengthening long-term energy planning capacity, improving the regulatory framework to integrate renewable energy, and promoting industrial energy efficiency through incentive mechanisms. The VAS is a flagship cooperation model between state management agencies and businesses, aimed at promoting voluntary efforts to reduce emissions.

To date, VAS has supported 21 enterprises across key sectors, including steel, textiles, seafood, paper, thermal power, and fertiliser. A total of 236 energy efficiency projects have been implemented, with estimated annual savings of about 315.1 GWh and emissions reductions of 134,651 tonnes of CO₂. If scaled up, these solutions could generate energy cost savings of up to 6 million USD, with an average payback period of just over three years.

Beyond technological support, DEPP3 also invests in human capacity. The programme has trained around 55 certified energy auditors and over 95 technical staff in accordance to international standards under the guidance of Danish experts.

According to Hoang Van Tam from the Agency for Innovation, Green Transition and Industry Promotion under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, sharing success stories from pioneering firms will help shift businesses from symbolic actions to genuine, self-driven energy-saving practices. The results achieved under DEPP3 underscore the value of international cooperation in advancing Vietnam’s sustainable development and emissions reduction goals.

The Vietnam–Japan Cultural Festival and Japan Job Fair 2026 is organised at Dong A University in Da Nang city on April 17. (Photo: baovanhoa.vn)

Vietnam-Japan Cultural Festival in Da Nang expands career opportunities

The Vietnam–Japan Cultural Festival and Japan Job Fair 2026 took place at Dong A University in Da Nang city on April 17, attracting more than 4,000 students and offering a dynamic platform for cultural exchange and international career engagement.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mori Takero, Consul General of Japan in Da Nang, commended Dong A University for its strong cooperation with Japanese partners in training and employment. He highlighted the university’s notable achievements not only in academic development but also in internship and job placement programmes with Japan.

The job fair brought together 30 partners, including more than 20 Japanese enterprises, offering 512 vacancies across a wide range of sectors. The event enabled students to engage directly with employers, participate in on-site interviews, and explore internship and employment opportunities in Japan.

On this occasion, four additional cooperation agreements were signed with Japanese companies including Maruwa, Memolead, OSJ, and Up Raise, raising the total number of the university’s Japanese partners to 196. This growing network continues to strengthen international collaboration and broaden students’ access to global career pathways.

In addition, 60 scholarships worth nearly VND400 million were awarded to students in fields such as construction, nursing, business administration, marketing, logistics, and international business. These scholarships will support one-year internship programmes in Japan starting from the second quarter of 2026.

To date, more than 1,000 students from Dong A University have participated in study and internship programmes in Japan. Beyond recruitment, the event also helped students better understand labour market expectations and develop structured pathways for international career advancement.

Alongside the job fair, the Vietnam–Japan Cultural Festival 2026 created a vibrant environment celebrating the cultural identities of both countries.

The programme featured a series of artistic performances, including Yosakoi dance, bamboo pole dance, Japanese drum shows, and traditional fan dance, which received enthusiastic responses from participants.

Twelve cultural booths showcased Vietnamese and Japanese cuisine, folk games, traditional costume experiences, and themed photo spaces inspired by Japanese aesthetics.

A highlight of the festival was the cosplay competition, drawing strong participation from students and young people passionate about Japanese culture.

The final round of the flashmob competition, themed “Rhythm of Youth,” brought together 10 high school teams from Da Nang, with more than 300 students delivering energetic performances.

Additional interactive activities such as Japanese anime dubbing, mask painting, and bento decoration further contributed to a creative and engaging atmosphere.

Through these activities, students not only gained a deeper understanding of Japanese culture and language but also prepared for themselves to integrate, study, and develop their careers in an international environment.

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