Vietnam News Today (Dec. 10): Vietnam, Russia Promote Law Enforcement Cooperation
	Vietnam News Today (Dec. 11): Russia, Vietnam Affirm Defense Ties as Pillar of Strategic Partnership

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh makes a phone call to Rosatom General Director Alexey Likhachev on December 11.

Vietnam seeks to strengthen nuclear energy cooperation with Russia

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 11 made a phone call to Alexey Likhachev, General Director of Russia’s State Atomic Energy Corporation (Rosatom), during which he expressed Vietnam's desire to strengthen nuclear energy cooperation with Russia to develop the nuclear energy industry in Vietnam.

During the phone call, Prime Minister Chinh emphasized that Vietnam highly values and appreciates its Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the Russian Federation. He highlighted that Vietnam's nuclear energy industry has received significant support from the former Soviet Union and present-day Russia, particularly in terms of training highly qualified human resources and developing peaceful nuclear energy projects.

The PM reaffirmed Vietnam’s desire to continue maintaining and enhancing strong cooperation with Russia, particularly in the field of nuclear energy. He stressed that the promotion of nuclear energy projects would not only serve the mutual interests of both countries but also contribute to regional and global stability and development, cited VOV.

The PM requested that Rosatom actively support Vietnam in building and developing modern nuclear energy facilities, including nuclear power plants and nuclear research centers, as well as training experts and scientists in the field. In addition, he asked for Rosatom's assistance in developing nuclear energy applications for civilian purposes, such as nuclear medicine, radiation processing, and other vital sectors.

Rosatom’s General Director Likhachev thanked Vietnam for trusting Russia as a strategic partner in the development of the nuclear energy industry. He assured that Rosatom is committed to continuing close cooperation with Vietnam to implement high-level agreements between the two countries, especially in the areas of technology transfer and the construction of modern nuclear facilities in Vietnam.

The Russian business executive also said Rosatom would send a delegation to Vietnam to work directly with relevant Vietnamese agencies to urgently implement the cooperation initiatives as outlined by the Prime Minister.

Both sides agreed to continue coordinating efforts to finalize cooperation programs and proposals and to sign specific agreements soon, aiming to effectively implement nuclear energy projects in the principle of interest harmonizing and risk sharing.

Vietnam, Japan eye stronger naval cooperation

Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and Deputy Minister of National Defense, and Admiral Saito Akira, Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF), have agreed to further elevate naval cooperation between the two countries in the time to come.

The officials reached the agreement at their meeting in Hanoi on December 11, where the two sides voiced their hope to deepen the relationship between the JMSDF and the Vietnam People’s Navy.

Cuong emphasised that the Vietnam – Japan defense cooperation has been expanded continuously and become increasingly substantive, serving as an important pillar of the bilateral relations, with prominent areas of collaboration such as all-level exchanges, human resources training, cybersecurity, and war aftermath settlement.

He highly valued the positive and fruitful cooperation between the Vietnam People’s Navy and the JMSDF, saying that this has helped enhance professional skills and technical expertise while fostering friendship and mutual understanding between the two forces, according to VNA.

Gen. Nguyen Tan Cuong (R), Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Minister of National Defense, meets with Admiral Saito Akira, Chief of Staff of the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, in Hanoi on December 11, 2025. (Photo: qdnd.vn)

The host affirmed that leaders of the Ministry of National Defense and the VPA’s General Staff will always support and create favorable conditions for the naval forces of the two countries to expand effective and substantive cooperation.

He showed his belief that with the foundation built over decades, high consensus, and tireless efforts by both countries' leaders and peoples, Vietnam – Japan relations will continue to progress in all fields, meeting their peoples’ interests and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region.

For his part, Saito spoke highly of the bilateral relations, including cooperation between the two defense ministries.

He agreed with Cuong’s views, expressing the hope that defense cooperation, particularly between the JMSDF and the Vietnam People’s Navy, will become stronger in the coming time.

Vietnamese enterprises seek to expand exports to the Thai market

The Thai market has been increasingly affirming its position as a strategic export destination for businesses in Ho Chi Minh City in particular and Vietnam in general.

However, to further penetrate this market, Vietnamese enterprises must improve product quality and strengthen competitiveness with a focus on clean, organic, and environmentally friendly goods.

Experts note that, in recent years, Thailand has consistently remained one of Vietnam’s largest trading partners, while Vietnam is Thailand’s second-largest trading partner within ASEAN.

The two countries have signed numerous agreements and trade arrangements, most notably the ASEAN Trade in Goods Agreement (ATIGA) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), NDO reported.

These agreements not only remove tariff barriers but also create favourable conditions for enterprises of both countries to develop supply and production chains and expand into third-country markets.

According to Ho Thi Quyen, Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Center, Vietnam and Thailand have recently elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership, marking a new chapter in bilateral ties.

The Vietnam–Thailand economic relationship is not merely bilateral but plays a strategic role in reinforcing shared prosperity across the ASEAN region.

Statistics show that bilateral trade between Vietnam and Thailand in 2024 exceeded 20 billion USD, up 6.36% from 2023. Vietnam’s exports to Thailand reached around 7.81 billion USD, with key items including mobile phones and components, machinery and equipment, steel, computers, electronic products, and agricultural goods such as fresh fruit, seafood, and coffee.

Conversely, Vietnam imported 12.45 billion USD worth of goods from Thailand, mainly machinery and equipment, fully built automobiles, electronic components, and household electrical appliances, cited NDO.

Enterprises from Ho Chi Minh City showcase their products at the Ho Chi Minh City Export Forum.

In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest economic hub, trade with Thailand has also recorded encouraging results. Thailand is currently one of the city’s key partners, particularly in commerce, investment, culture, and tourism. Leading export items from the city to Thailand include agricultural products, processed foods, textiles, and industrial goods.

Ho Thi Quyen added that Thailand is not only a traditional trading partner but also a gateway that connects Vietnamese enterprises with new export opportunities.

The year 2025 marks a new milestone in Vietnam–Thailand trade relations. Both sides have committed to raising bilateral trade turnover to 25 billion USD, aiming for greater balance and sustainability.

Notably, the two countries are vigorously promoting the “three connections” strategy: supply chain connectivity (strengthening cooperation in production and distribution), connectivity across economic sectors, localities, and enterprises (fostering collaboration among different regions and businesses), and connectivity in green and sustainable growth strategies (advancing green and sustainable economic development).

The Thai market offers significant opportunities for Vietnamese enterprises, including those based in Ho Chi Minh City. With a population of over 70 million and rising purchasing power, Thailand is an attractive destination for Vietnamese products.

However, to fully seize these opportunities, Vietnamese enterprises must overcome several challenges when exporting to Thailand. These include technical barriers and standards, strong competition from Thai domestic products, requirements concerning product quality and packaging, and the need to meet Thailand’s specific consumer preferences.

Therefore, businesses must enhance product quality, keep up-to-date with market information, proactively build sustainable development strategies, and expand international partnerships.

Such an approach is seen as essential for helping Vietnamese enterprises strengthen their position in the Thai market, thereby contributing to export growth and improving the country’s economic performance.

To support Vietnamese enterprises in entering the Thai market, Nguyen Thi Bich Van, Communications Director of Central Retail Vietnam, noted that since 2016, through the annual “Vietnamese Goods Week in Thailand”, Central Retail has collaborated with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ho Chi Minh City Investment and Trade Promotion Center to create a platform for nearly 500 Vietnamese enterprises to introduce their products to Thai consumers and expand export opportunities.

The event not only deepens the presence of Vietnamese goods in the Thai market through a major distribution network but also serves as an opportunity to promote Vietnam’s image, culture, and products in general, while enabling enterprises in Ho Chi Minh City to access export channels to Thailand.

Experts emphasise that to export successfully to Thailand, enterprises must prioritise attractive, modern, and internationally standardised packaging, comply with labelling regulations and orient products toward green development. Pricing must be competitive and accompanied by seasonal promotional campaigns.

Clear information and prominent presentation of product strengths are also crucial to attracting Thai consumers. Currently, Vietnamese products with strong export potential to Thailand include seafood, sweet potatoes, dragon fruit, coffee, sauces, and spices.

ADB raises Vietnam’s 2025 growth forecast to 7.4%

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has upgraded its 2025 growth forecast for developing Asia and the Pacific, with Vietnam receiving the region’s largest upward revision to 7.4% from 6.7%, according to its December 2025 Asian Development Outlook (ADO).

ADB raised growth projections for its member economies amid stronger-than-expected exports and reduced trade uncertainty following the conclusion of several trade agreements with the United States.

The report noted that resilient exports, particularly of semiconductors and other technology products, moderating inflation, and stable financial conditions have strengthened the region’s growth outlook. Buoyed by stronger-than-expected growth in India, the region’s economy is now projected to expand by 5.1% this year, compared with a 4.8% forecast in September. The outlook for 2026 has also been upgraded by 0.1 percentage points to 4.6%, cited VOV.

ADB revises Vietnam’s 2025 growth outlook upward (Photo: Illustrative image)

“Asia and the Pacific’s solid economic fundamentals are underpinning robust export performance and steady growth, despite a global trade environment clouded by historic levels of uncertainty over the past year,” said ADB Chief Economist Albert Park.

“Trade agreements have partly eased that uncertainty, but external and other challenges could still weigh on the outlook. Governments in the region should continue to foster open trade and investment to sustain resilience and growth,” he added.

Risks to the regional outlook include renewed trade tensions and financial market volatility, as well as geopolitical pressures and a worse-than-expected deterioration in China’s property market.

China’s growth forecast for 2025 has been raised to 4.8% from 4.7%, amid resilient exports and continued fiscal stimulus. The outlook for 2026 remains unchanged at 4.3%. India’s 2025 growth projection is up by 0.7 percentage points to 7.2%, reflecting stronger third-quarter expansion as tax cuts supported consumption. The 2026 forecast stays at 6.5%.

Meanwhile, the outlook for the Caucasus and Central Asia subregion has been revised up to 5.8% this year from a previous forecast of 5.5%, buoyed by strong public investment, rising remittances, and robust domestic demand. Southeast Asia’s growth projection for 2025 has been upgraded by 0.2 percentage points to 4.5%, reflecting a strong third quarter in Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and Vietnam. Forecasts for the Pacific remain unchanged for this year and next, at 4.1% and 3.4%, respectively.

Inflation in developing Asia and the Pacific is expected to ease further to 1.6% this year, compared with a 1.7% projection in September, mainly due to lower-than-anticipated food inflation in India. The region’s inflation forecast for 2026 remains at 2.1%.

SEA Games 33: Vietnam adds to gold-medal haul

Vietnam enjoyed another standout afternoon at SEA Games 33, as its athletes continued to capture gold medals in karate, taekwondo, MMA, gymnastics, and jujitsu.

After two early golds in martial arts, Tran Ngoc Luong powered to victory in the MMA final, sealing Vietnam’s campaign in the sport with a second gold medal.

The gymnasts boosted the delegation’s tally with its seventh and ninth golds. Dang Ngoc Xuan Thien impressed in the pommel horse final, while Nguyen Van Khanh Phong dominated the rings to defend his SEA Games title for the second consecutive edition, VNA reported.

Nguyen Hong Trong (right) clinches the second gold medal for Vietnamese taekwondo. (Photo: VNA)

The eighth gold for Vietnam was secured by jujitsu fighter Dang Dinh Tung, who delivered a commanding performance to defeat his Philippine rival in the men’s 69kg final.

The same day, taekwondo team secured their second gold medal as Nguyen Hong Trong defeated his Indonesian opponent.

In the final of the 54kg category, Trong claimed a 2–1 victory over Tumakaka after a tense and hard-fought match.

Earlier, on the afternoon of December 10, the Vietnamese taekwondo team also earned gold in the creative team event.

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