Vietnam News Today (Aug. 24): 50 Years of Vietnam–Nepal Relations: New Milestone in Bilateral Ties

	Vietnam News Today (Aug. 22): Vietnam Prioritizes Comprehensive Preparations for APEC 2027
	Vietnam News Today (Aug. 23): Vietnam – Thailand Parliamentary Cooperation Continues to Grow in Depth

Vietnamese Ambassador to India, concurrently accredited to Nepal and Bhutan, Nguyen Thanh Hai. (Photo: VNA)

50 years of Vietnam–Nepal relations: a new milestone in bilateral ties

Vietnamese Ambassador to India, concurrently accredited to Nepal and Bhutan, Nguyen Thanh Hai has expressed confidence that Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan’s official visit to Nepal from August 23-28 will give fresh impetus to stronger, more substantive and effective cooperation between the two countries, particularly in trade, investment, and tourism.

Speaking to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent in South Asia on the occasion of the Vice President’s visit, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of Vietnam–Nepal diplomatic relations, Ambassador Hai noted that this is the first visit by a Vietnamese Vice President to Nepal and the highest-level visit by a Vietnamese leader since diplomatic ties were established in 1975.

According to the ambassador, the visit offers both sides an opportunity to review the progress achieved in bilateral relations over the past half a century, especially in recent years, while discussing concrete measures to advance cooperation in the years ahead. Against the backdrop of Nepal’s development efforts along a socialist-oriented path, leaders of the two countries are also expected to share valuable experience and lessons.

Over the past five decades, Vietnam and Nepal have witnessed positive growth in their partnership. The two sides have promoted visits and exchanges at various levels, while maintaining close coordination and mutual support at regional and international forums.

Although modest in scale, bilateral trade has recorded steady progress, with annual turnover standing below 100 million USD. A growing number of Vietnamese goods, particularly agricultural products, seafood, foodstuffs, industrial and consumer goods, are present in the Nepalese market. Meanwhile, Nepalese textiles and handicrafts are gaining greater recognition in Vietnam.

The two countries have also engaged in investment cooperation, most notably in hydropower. Vietnam’s Song Da Corporation has partnered with Nepal’s Kalika Group to construct the Tanahu hydropower dam on the Seti River, cited VNA.

Tourism has been another area seeing vibrant development. More Vietnamese tourists are travelling to Nepal to explore the Kathmandu Valley, Pokhara, Himalayas, and the sacred Buddhist site of Lumbini. At the same time, an increasing number of Nepalese visitors are coming to Vietnam for tourism and business purposes.

People-to-people exchange remains a highlight of bilateral cooperation, serving as a bridge of friendship and a solid foundation of public support for relations between the two countries. The Vietnam–Nepal Friendship Association and the Nepal Peace and Solidarity Council play an important role in this regard, actively organizing exchanges, delegation visits, and cultural activities that enhance mutual understanding.

In addition, the 250-strong Vietnamese community in Nepal has contributed to promoting Vietnamese culture and cuisine locally. Overall, while bilateral relations have made encouraging strides, they still remain modest and not yet commensurate with the potential and aspirations of both sides, he noted.

To further advance economic, trade, and investment ties, Ambassador Hai suggested that the two countries’ ministries and agencies work towards establishing frameworks and mechanisms for cooperation, while also promoting agreements in areas such as labor, tourism, and education.

He emphasized the need to step up trade and investment promotion activities and create favorable conditions for business delegations. Nepal, he said, is seeking to import consumer goods, machinery, processed agricultural products, and construction materials from Vietnam, while attracting investment in hydropower, renewable energy, smart agriculture, and tourism. Meanwhile, Vietnam could increase imports of Nepalese handicrafts, medicinal herbs, and natural products.

Strengthening air connectivity, particularly through the opening of direct flights between Vietnam and Nepal, will also be of great significance, not only to boost tourism and people-to-people exchanges, but also to facilitate the operations of businesses and entrepreneurs in both countries, he said.

Vietnam poised for dynamic growth, says Chinese scholar

Professor Liu Ying of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China has praised Vietnam’s achievements over the past 80 years and emphasized that the country holds enormous potential for future development.

Professor Liu, in an interview recently granted to Beijing-based VOV correspondents, said since gaining independence in 1945, Vietnam has undergone multiple phases of development, from post-war reconstruction to economic reform and international integration. The launch of the Renovation policy in 1986 marked the country’s official transition to market-oriented reforms, driving impressive economic growth and transforming Vietnam from an agriculture-based economy into a rapidly emerging market with vibrant manufacturing and service industries.

According to Professor Liu, Vietnam’s progress is most visible in the economic sphere. Since the adoption of Renovation, the country has maintained consistently high growth rates. In 2024, its GDP reached nearly US$460 billion, many times higher than in 1986, while per capita GDP rose from less than US$100 in 1986 to about US$4,700 in 2024.

“Vietnam will soon surpass US$5,000 in per capita GDP, and eventually reach US$10,000 in the coming years, gradually joining the ranks of upper middle-income countries. This is of great importance, as it will improve people’s welfare - an essential goal that has guided Vietnam’s development over the past eight decades, with the vision of building a prosperous nation and a strong state,” said Professor Liu.

She also commended Vietnam’s growing participation in major international trade organizations, including ASEAN Free Trade Area (AFTA), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP). She underlined Vietnam’s involvement in the world’s largest free trade bloc—comprising ASEAN, China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia, and New Zealand—which has provided a strong foundation for its export-oriented growth. In her assessment, these achievements signal that Vietnam is undergoing transformative development.

Professor Liu Ying of the Chongyang Institute for Financial Studies at Renmin University of China.

In the interview, Professor Liu attributed such achievements to the clear-sighted leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), which she said has played an extremely important role in the country’s development.

“Without the Party, Vietnam would not have achieved the remarkable progress it enjoys today. Most importantly, the CPV led the Vietnamese people to revolutionary victory and the establishment of a socialist state. As the ruling party, it has persistently guided the people to success in national construction as well as in improving people’s living standards,” remarked the scholar.

She expressed strong optimism about Vietnam’s future development, describing its growth as both dynamic and sustainable. She pointed out that Vietnam’s close relations with China, along with its increasingly important role in ASEAN, East Asia, and the wider global arena, provide a solid foundation for further advancement. At the same time, ongoing political and administrative reforms are expected to enhance the quality and sophistication of its socio-economic development, according to VOV.

From an economic perspective, Vietnam’s young population and steadily expanding consumer market represent key advantages. Despite the challenges posed by geopolitical conflicts and high tariffs, Vietnam recorded GDP growth of 7.96% in the second quarter of 2025, the highest rate in nearly two decades. Exports also showed strong performance, reaching a cumulative value of US$262.4 billion in the first seven months of 2025, highlighting the country’s pivotal role in global supply chains.

However, Professor Liu acknowledged that Vietnam still faces hurdles including inflationary pressures, rising labour costs, and limited infrastructure. Looking ahead, she stressed that Vietnam would further advance industrial upgrading, increase the added value of its manufacturing sector, and accelerate infrastructure development in order to sustain long-term economic growth.

Vietnamese culinary week highlights 55 years of Vietnam–Sri Lanka ties

The Vietnamese Embassy in Sri Lanka recently inaugurated a Vietnamese culinary week at the Hilton Colombo Hotel, celebrating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Sri Lanka (1970–2025).

The opening ceremony on the evening of August 21 (local time) was attended by Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam, Sri Lankan Minister of Trade, Commerce, Food Security and Cooperative Development Wasantha Samarasinghe, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Employment Arun Hemachandra, and Hilton Colombo General Manager Mahesh Fernando.

In her remarks, Ambassador Tam stressed that this is the first Vietnamese culinary week organized in Colombo in many years. She appreciated the strong cooperation of Hilton Colombo and Hilton Da Nang in making the initiative a reality. She expressed her belief that the event will bring the quintessence of Vietnamese cuisine closer to Sri Lankan friends, while also opening new opportunities for cooperation in tourism, trade, people-to-people exchanges, reported VNA.

At the opening ceremony of the Vietnamese culinary week at the Hilton Colombo Hotel, celebrating the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Sri Lanka. (Photo: VNA)

Minister Samarasinghe spoke highly of the significance of the event, which coincides with the 55th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. He voiced his hope that Vietnam and Sri Lanka will continue to hold similar meaningful activities, thereby further strengthening traditional friendship while enhancing trade and food security cooperation through the promotion of agricultural products and specialties from both countries.

Guests enjoyed a wide variety of Vietnamese dishes such as pho (noodle soup served with beef or chicken), fresh spring rolls, fried spring rolls, banh mi (baguette), cha ca La Vong (fried fish with turmeric and dill), bun cha (vermicelli bwith grilled oork), mi Quang (Quang Nam noodles), and grilled beef in betel leaves. Some dishes were creatively adapted with local ingredients, such as banh mi with curried chicken filling, offering diners a new yet authentic taste of Vietnam. According to Hilton Colombo’s General Manager, over 200 buffet reservations were made for the opening night alone.

Desserts and beverages also impressed participants, with a rich selection of traditional Vietnamese sweet soups, cakes, and drinks. Particularly notable were salt coffee and egg coffee prepared by Chum Coffee, which attracted enthusiastic responses.

Running until August 30, the week not only introduces distinctive dishes but also serves as a vivid cultural bridge. The vibrant presence of Vietnamese cuisine in the heart of Colombo is expected to deepen the friendship between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, especially in the year marking 55 years of diplomatic relations.

Storm Kajiki to hit central Vietnam with wind gusts up to level 15

Vietnam’s fifth storm of 2025 is heading inland with powerful winds and torrential rain, prompting urgent disaster warnings.

Storm No. 5, internationally known as Kajiki, has entered warm waters with sea surface temperatures at 30°C and is rapidly intensifying. By August 25, its center is expected to reach the coastal waters from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri, with gusts reaching level 15.

On the morning of August 23, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting held an emergency meeting to coordinate response measures for Storm No. 5 (Kajiki) and meteorological services for the national A80 celebrations and local events.

According to forecasts, Storm Kajiki is a powerful system moving at high speed, with winds reaching level 12 and gusts of level 14-15. It poses a significant threat both at sea and on land across areas from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri, endangering people, infrastructure, vessels, and coastal communities.

Particularly concerning is the potential for severe rainfall exceeding 200mm within three hours, which raises the risk of flash floods, landslides, and inundation, especially near dams and reservoirs. With less than a day remaining to prepare, the urgency of preventive action is critical.

Following landfall on August 25, heavy rains are forecast to spread across northern Vietnam, coinciding with intense rehearsals for national events related to the A80 celebration.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, along with the Meteorological Agency, has instructed forecasting units to increase field operations, expand mobile monitoring points, and utilize all available technical resources. They have also emphasized data sharing with international partners to ensure accurate and timely forecasts aimed at minimizing disaster risks.

Current location and path of Storm Kajiki

As of 1:00 PM on August 23, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting reported the storm's center located approximately 300 kilometers east-northeast of the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands. The strongest winds near the storm's eye reached level 9 (75–88 km/h), with gusts of level 11. The storm is moving west-northwest at a speed of 25 km/h.

Over the next 24 hours, the storm will continue in the same direction, intensifying further. By 1:00 PM on August 24, its center is expected to be over the southern sea of Hainan Island (China), with wind intensity reaching level 11–12 and gusts of level 14.

In the following 24 hours, the storm will maintain its direction but slow down slightly to 15–20 km/h. By 1:00 PM on August 25, it will reach coastal waters from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri, with wind strength at level 12 and gusts up to level 15.

In the 24 hours after that, Kajiki is expected to weaken into a tropical depression as it moves inland over central Laos.

Violent seas and coastal flooding warnings

Storm No. 5 will cause rough seas in the northern East Sea region (including the Hoang Sa area), with winds at levels 8–9 and gusts reaching level 14. Waves are expected to reach heights of 4–6 meters.

From the afternoon of August 24, the sea areas from Thanh Hoa to Hue (including Con Co and Hon Ngu islands) will experience increasing winds at levels 6–8, escalating to levels 9–10. In areas near the storm’s center, winds may reach levels 11–13 with gusts of level 15. Waves could surge up to 6–8 meters, and the sea will be extremely rough.

From the evening of August 24, the northern part of the Gulf of Tonkin (including Bach Long Vi island) will also see increasing wind levels of 6–7, with gusts of level 9 and wave heights of 2–4 meters, VNN reported.

Movement direction of Storm No. 5, update as of the afternoon of August 23.

The storm will trigger coastal flooding from Ninh Binh to northern Quang Tri, with expected storm surges of 0.5 to 1.2 meters. Sea levels may rise to 3.6 meters in Sam Son (Thanh Hoa), 3.8 meters in Hon Ngu (Nghe An), 2.8 meters in Vung Ang (Ha Tinh), and 2 meters in Cua Gianh (Quang Tri). Low-lying areas, estuaries, and islands face a high risk of flooding.

Meteorological authorities warn that all maritime and coastal activities, including passenger transport, aquaculture, and port infrastructure, are at serious risk. Strong winds, high waves, and storm surges could lead to capsizing, damage, and extensive flooding.

Rainfall projections and disaster risk

From the night of August 24, inland areas from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri will face increasing winds up to level 9, with gusts reaching level 15 near the storm’s center.

Between August 24 and 26, heavy rainfall is forecast to spread from the Red River Delta and southern Phu Tho to Hue. Rainfall totals will range from 100–150mm, with localized areas receiving over 250mm. Particularly, areas from Thanh Hoa to Quang Tri may receive 150–300mm, with some areas exceeding 600mm.

Authorities are issuing warnings for extreme rainfall intensity, potentially exceeding 200mm within a 3-hour window.

From August 25–26, Hanoi and Danang are expected to receive moderate to heavy rainfall and thunderstorms. Ho Chi Minh City may see evening and nighttime showers, with risks of strong winds and tornadoes during storms.

From August 25–27, heavy rainfall ranging from 100–250mm is expected in upper and central Laos, with some central regions potentially exceeding 500mm.

‘Unusual’ features of Storm Kajiki and areas of highest concern

Kajiki’s rapid formation and intensification are being closely monitored. According to Dr. Hoang Phuc Lam, Deputy Director of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting, the storm's fast-moving nature and strength will heavily impact the provinces of Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Quang Tri.

He highlighted that August 25 will be the peak period for strong winds and torrential rainfall across central Vietnam. Wind speeds of level 12 with gusts up to level 15 are expected to affect both coastal and inland regions.

Dr. Lam also emphasized that post-storm rainfall will likely spread into northern Vietnam and extend across mountainous areas of Nghe An and Ha Tinh.

Kajiki’s expected rainfall intensity of over 200mm in three hours poses a severe threat of flash floods and landslides, especially in mountainous areas of Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, and Ha Tinh between August 25 and 26.

Authorities have assigned risk levels as follows: from Thanh Hoa to Hue - level 3 (high) risk at sea, level 4 (very high) at the coast; from Hue to Lam Dong - level 2 at sea, level 3 at the coast; from Ho Chi Minh City to Ca Mau - level 2; and for the northern East Sea and the Gulf of Tonkin (including Hoang Sa and Bach Long Vi) - level 3.

Vietnamese golf tourism attracts tourists from RoK and Taiwan (China)

The number of visitors coming from the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Taiwan (China) coming to Vietnam for golf tourism has been growing steadily at an annual average growth rate of 10% to 15%, and the upward trajectory is expected to continue if Vietnam maintains its favorable visa policies.

These figures were highlighted during a seminar on visa policies for tourists from the RoK and Taiwan, organized by the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association on August 23.

Doan Ngoc Thao, general secretary of Sai Gon Tourism Golf Society, noted that in recent years, the international golf tourism market in Vietnam has shown consistent growth, with Korean and Taiwanese visitors making up a significant portion.

Both markets are traditional sources of golf tourists, with a strong passion for the sport and high spending power, often combining golf with luxury resort stays, cited VOV.

Visa policies play a key role in developing the golf tourism segment, Thao emphasized.

The Vietnamese Government's expansion of visa exemptions, extension of stay periods, and the application of convenient e-visa policies have created important conditions to attract more international visitors, particularly from the RoK and Taiwan. This policy not only helps to increase the number of tourists but also extend the length of stay, thereby encouraging repeat visits, she noted.

Vietnamese golf tourism attracts tourists from RoK and Taiwan (China). (Photo: Internet)

“Golf tourism is not just about sports; it enhances the image of Vietnam as a tourist destination and stimulates related sectors such as hotels, restaurants, and transportation. If favorable visa policies are maintained and expanded, Vietnam has the potential to become Asia’s leading destination for golf tourism among visitors from the RoK and Taiwan,” said Thao.

Although Vietnam entered the golf market later than many countries, it has quickly developed into a dynamic and fast-growing destination, offering diverse experiences by combining golf with tourism and entertainment. As of 2025, the country has more than 80 operational 18-hole golf courses, and it aims to raise the figure to 200 by 2030.

Golf tourism is not only a sport but also represents a high-class resort experience which combines sports, culture, and nature. Currently, foreign visitors to Vietnam to play golf often purchase tours in one of three forms: combo packages including airfare, accommodation, and golf; resort stays combined with tournament participation; or golf trips combined with business activities.

Nguyen Viet Anh, vice president of the Ho Chi Minh City Tourism Association, said that the RoK and Taiwan have been among the leading markets for Vietnamese tourism for many years. Visitor numbers from these markets have been rising steadily, while Vietnamese travelers are increasingly choosing the RoK and Taiwan as preferred destinations.

The seminar aimed to foster two-way tourism, creating opportunities for Vietnamese travel businesses to serve outbound tourists while also attracting more visitors from the RoK and Taiwan (China) to Vietnam.

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