Japan, Brazil support Vietnam in post-natural disaster recovery efforts

The Japanese Government would provide non-refundable emergency assistance worth US$1.5 million to help Vietnam overcome the serious damage caused by recent storms and floods in the central region, announced Foreign Minister Motegi Toshimitsu at a press conference on December 12.

Toshimitsu said, this assistance would be delivered to Vietnam through international organizations as soon as possible.

Specifically, Japan will provide essential supplies worth US$1 million through the International Organization for Migration (IOM), and US$500,000 for clean water and environmental sanitation services through the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF).

In recent times, Southeast Asia has suffered significant damage from storms and flooding, he said, adding that Japan has been providing appropriate assistance based on the needs and requests of each country. In the future, if similar situations continue to occur, Japan will also continue to make efforts to provide support within its capacity, according to VGP.

Local authorities strive to provide necessary items to local people at flood-hit areas.

Meanwhile, in recent days many organizations, businesses, and friends in Brazil country have responded to the call of the Brazil–Vietnam Chamber of Commerce to join hands in supporting Vietnam's efforts to overcome the consequences of natural disasters.

JBS Group, one of Brazil's largest food processing companies, took the lead by donating US$20,000 along with 1,000 sets of blankets, sheets, and mattresses for affected families, in order to provide timely assistance to people in flood-hit areas.

In addition, the Brazilian Cooperation Agency (ABC) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that it would consider the possibility of sharing experience in disaster management, flood response, and post-disaster reconstruction—areas in which Brazil has accumulated many practical lessons in recent years.

Several Brazilian companies in the fields of logistics, agriculture, and supply chains are also actively considering support in transport costs and donations of relief goods to be sent to Vietnam.

The Southeast Asian nation has endured a brutal year of storms, floods and landslides, with over 400 people dead or missing and huge economic losses.

Over 337,000 houses have collapsed, been swept away or damaged, while 553,417 hectares of rice and crops and 376,792 hectares of other plantations have been inundated. Total economic losses are estimated at VND85.099 trillion (US$3.2 billion).

Vietnam emerges as attractive destination for technology capital in Southeast Asia

Vietnam has emerged as an appealing destination for technology investment in Southeast Asia, according to the Vietnam Innovation Startup Ecosystem Report 2025 announced by the Ministry of Science and Technology on December 12 on the sidelines of TECHFEST Vietnam 2025.

The report notes that after more than a decade of development, Vietnam’s startup ecosystem has entered a phase of deeper growth and stronger international integration. The country is now home to more than 4,000 startups, two unicorns, and dozens of companies approaching unicorn status.

Luong Van Thuong, head of the innovative startup division under the ministry’s Authority of Startups and Technology Enterprises, said the country expects to add three to four more unicorns by 2030, focusing on 11 strategic technologies, with artificial intelligence, semiconductors and green technology identified as top priorities.

Compared with previous editions, the report is assessed as being richer in data, reflecting a policy shift from broad-based support to a more targeted, in-depth allocation of resources. A key highlight is the plan to establish a national venture capital fund, with initial state capital of around 20 million USD and a target size of at least 100 million USD. Localities are also encouraged to set up venture capital funds using local budgets as seed capital to attract private-sector and international investors.

The ecosystem continues to be evaluated under the 5P framework, comprising policy, progress, capital, planet and people. In terms of the “planet” pillar, the Net Zero 2050 target opens up opportunities in clean energy, recycling and carbon credits, although Vietnam still faces challenges related to core technologies and reliance on imports. There have also been an increasing support for women entrepreneurs as well as students engaged in startup activities, VNA reported.

Vu Ngoc Quyet, Founder and CEO of LocaAI, speaks about AI technology at TECHFEST Vietnam 2025, held in Hanoi from December 12-14, 2025. (Photo: VNA)

At the central level, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Finance have rolled out a range of cooperation programmes and support policies, including the P4G Summit, the Economist Up competition, as well as the Government’s Decree No. 198/2025/ND-CP on private economic development and Decree No. 97/2025/ND-CP on preferential mechanisms for innovative startups at the Vietnam National Innovation Center.

At the local level, incubation and startup support activities expanded markedly in 2025, though they remain concentrated mainly in the Southeastern region and the Red River Delta. The Central Highlands and the northern mountainous and midland regions continue to face shortages of resources and experts.

The year also witnessed vibrant open innovation activities, with numerous large-scale events. The report identifies eight promising startup sectors, including climate technology, the creative economy, technology for the elderly, education technology, plastic industry innovation, women-led enterprises, electric vehicles, and overseas Vietnamese startup communities.

For the first time, “social listening” analysis was applied in compiling the report. The ministry observed that 2025 was marked by fluctuating sentiments: a subdued and anxious start, mid-year optimism driven by new policies, and an end-of-year mix of pride alongside crises of confidence stemming from scandals involving several prominent figures in the startup community.

Vietnam to welcome 20 millionth international visitor this December

According to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism (VNAT), a ceremony to welcome the country’s 20 millionth international visitor will take place at Phu Quoc International Airport in mid-December.

Tourism authorities describe the milestone as highly significant for the sector, noting that reaching 20 million international arrivals reflects Vietnam’s growing appeal and strengthened position on the global tourism map. The event is widely seen as proof that the country is emerging as one of the region’s leading destinations, attracting visitors with its distinctive culture, natural beauty, diverse cuisine and a wide range of travel experiences.

The landmark also underscores the strong recovery of international tourism following the COVID-19 pandemic. Vietnam has successfully aligned with the global recovery trend, maintaining steady growth momentum and recording a high rate of repeat visitors - key indicators of sustainable development.

More notably, the “20-million mark” is viewed as a vote of confidence from international travelers in Vietnam as a destination that is safe, welcoming and rich in both tangible and intangible beauty.

The milestone is also expected to provide fresh impetus for Vietnam to pursue its longer-term goal of welcoming 35 million international visitors by 2030, contributing to the ambition of positioning tourism as a spearhead sector of the economy and elevating the national brand, cited VOV.

Visitors from Kazakhstan are welcomed at Cam Ranh International Airport in the central coastal province of Khanh Hoa.

Official statistics showed that in the first 11 months of 2025, Vietnam welcomed approximately 19 million international visitors, representing a 20.4% increase year on year. With stable growth continuing in the fourth quarter and international travel demand recovering strongly, reaching the 20 million mark by mid-December 2025 is considered feasible.

This is the first time in the 65-year history of Vietnam’s tourism industry that the country has recorded 20 million international arrivals in a single year, signaling a new stage of development in its recovery and growth trajectory.

The achievement is also cited as evidence of the effectiveness of the Government’s consistent and decisive leadership in implementing policies and solutions to revive and develop tourism. In particular, it reflects positive outcomes from visa policy reforms, international market expansion, intensified promotion and marketing efforts, and improvements in the quality of tourism products and services.

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