| Vietnam News Today (Dec. 21) notable headlines Vietnam, Hong Kong enhance trade, finance, investment cooperation Vietnam, US vow to boost political, security, defense ties at 14th dialogue Vietnam emerges as Ireland’s most promising economic partner in ASEAN Vietnam set to enter Top 15 global trading economies this year ADB finances sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture in Vietnam 33rd SEA Games: Vietnam secures 87th gold medal Launch of Visit Vietnam – breakthrough digital leap for Vietnam’s tourism industry Contest links young Vietnamese intellectuals in Australia with Vietnam’s innovation ecosystem ADB, BIDV support Vietnam’s green agriculture with 250 million USD financing package |
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| Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc (left) and Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee Ka-chiu at their meeting on December 19 (Photo: VNA) |
Vietnam, Hong Kong enhance trade, finance, investment cooperation
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc had a meeting with Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) John Lee Ka-chiu on December 19 as part of his working visit to Hong Kong, China.
During the meeting, Phoc extended his condolences to the families of those who lost their lives in the recent apartment fire in Hong Kong.
He congratulated Hong Kong on the successful organization of the eighth Legislative Council election. He reaffirmed Vietnam's firm support for the "one country, two systems" policy, the Basic Law and related regulations of Hong Kong, and Hong Kong's prosperous development and and the well-being of its people.
The Deputy PM encouraged Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities to further strengthen and deepen friendly exchanges and comprehensive cooperation with Hong Kong in areas including the economy, trade, investment, finance and tourism.
Welcoming Deputy PM Phoc and the Vietnamese government delegation, Chief Executive John Lee expressed confidence that the visit would significantly promote mutually beneficial cooperation between Hong Kong, mainland China and Vietnam. He underscored the importance of advancing bilateral relations across various fields, thereby contributing to enriching the China–Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.
He reaffirmed the strong confidence of both the Hong Kong administration and business community in Vietnam’s potential, development prospects and the future of relations between the HKSAR and Vietnam, cited VNA.
To further strengthen cooperation, the two sides agreed to continue effectively implementing the common perceptions reached by senior leaders of Vietnam and China, as well as the outcomes of exchanges between Vietnamese and Hong Kong leaders. Priorities include increasing exchanges and visits at all levels, promoting cooperation frameworks, and expanding and improving the quality and effectiveness of cooperation in trade, investment and finance.
The Hong Kong side expressed its readiness to share experience in financial and monetary policy management, particularly in the establishment and operation of a gold exchange. It also pledged to promote strategic connectivity and encourage Hong Kong businesses to invest in large-scale infrastructure connectivity, innovation, the digital economy, green and circular economies, and energy transition, while supporting the linkage of the two stock markets and assisting Vietnamese enterprises seeking listings in Hong Kong.
Both sides agreed to strengthen coordination in citizen protection, judicial cooperation and law enforcement, and to further facilitate the Vietnamese community in Hong Kong.
Commending the academic achievements of Vietnamese students at leading Hong Kong universities, John Lee said Hong Kong was willing to offer additional scholarships to outstanding Vietnamese students. He also expressed a desire to expand cooperation in culture, education, tourism and labor, and to enhance coordination within multilateral economic cooperation mechanisms of which both sides are members.
While in Hong Kong, the Vietnamese Deputy PM also met Jonathan Choi, Chairman of the Sunwah Group and VinaCapital. The group praised Vietnam’s investment environment, particularly policies on establishing an International Financial Centre (IFC), and affirmed its readiness to invest in the IFC in Ho Chi Minh City and connect Chinese and Hong Kong investors in emerging areas such as green finance and digital assets.
From December 17 to 19, the delegation conducted surveys in Shanghai and Hong Kong, holding working sessions with the World Gold Council, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and Futures Exchange, and the Hong Kong Gold Exchange to exchange experience on establishing and operating a gold exchange and to study the relevant legal and regulatory frameworks.
Vietnam, US vow to boost political, security, defense ties at 14th dialogue
Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang and US Acting Assistant Secretary of State Fleet White co-chaired the 14th Vietnam - US Political - Security - Defense Dialogue in Washington, D.C. on December 18.
The annual mechanism aims to review and set orientations for political, security, and defense cooperation, enhance mutual understanding, build trust, and drive the stable and substantive development of Vietnam - US relations.
Both sides reflected on the state of bilateral relations after 30 years of diplomatic ties and two years since elevating to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, noting sustained positive progress.
Vietnam reaffirmed its view of the US as one of the leading strategic partners and welcomed increased US cooperation and contributions to regional peace, stability and development.
The US side described the Vietnam-US ties over the past three decades as a model in international relations, evolving from former adversaries to comprehensive strategic partners. The host reiterated its desire to further boost mutually beneficial cooperation based on respect for Vietnam’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political system, while expressing support for an independent, strong, prosperous, and resilient Vietnam.
The two sides highlighted key recent achievements, including sustained all-level exchanges and contacts, especially at senior and ministerial levels; enhanced law enforcement collaboration, efforts against transnational crime, responses to non-traditional security challenges, and the effective rollout of projects to remedy war consequences and search for US servicemen missing in action (MIA).
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| Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Dang Hoang Giang (R) and US Acting Assistant Secretary of State Fleet White (Photo: VNA) |
The US side thanked Vietnam for its active MIA cooperation and reaffirmed its commitment to expanding dioxin remediation and unexploded ordnance clearance projects, alongside stepping up new initiatives to support information collection and DNA identification technologies for missing Vietnamese soldiers.
The co-chairs commended current bilateral political, defense and security mechanisms as vital platforms for information sharing, difference management and advancing practical, sustainable cooperation on issues of shared concerns.
Building on the achieved outcomes, they agreed to further deepen cooperation under the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework and gradually expand cooperation into promising areas such as defense industry, capacity building for maritime law enforcement, specialized coordination in crime prevention, and high-technology controls.
On global and regional security issues, they underscored the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight; refraining from the use of force or threat to use force, and settling disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Both sides reaffirmed the central role of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in the regional architecture.
Concluding the event, the two sides agreed to further maintain and uphold the dialogue’s effectiveness; step up the exchange of all-level delegations and consultations, especially at high levels; and effectively roll out the agreed cooperation areas, thereby contributing to advancing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the practical benefit of both peoples, and for global and regional peace, stability, and development.
On the occasion, Giang met with President of the International Republican Institute Daniel Twining, representatives of the National Democratic Institute, and Co-Chairs of the Communist Party USA Joe Sims and Rossana Cambron to brief them on preparations for the 14th National Party Congress and discuss orientations for future party-to-party cooperation. The delegation also engaged several US organizations, businesses, and scholars to share views on bilateral, global and regional issues of common interest.
Vietnam emerges as Ireland’s most promising economic partner in ASEAN
Vietnam has been identified as one of Ireland’s most dynamic and promising economic partners within the ASEAN region, thanks to its strong reform efforts and deepening global integration, experts said during the recent Vietnam–Ireland Trade and Investment Forum 2025 held in Dublin.
At the event, Phyllis Kelly, Assistant Principle at Ireland’s Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation. Department of Business, Enterprise and Innovation said Vietnam’s ongoing institutional reforms, improvements to the investment and business climate, and proactive integration into the international economy have laid a solid foundation for attracting high-quality investment, boosting competitiveness in global trade, and supporting sustainable, long-term economic growth.
Meanwhile, Pat O’Riordan, ASEAN Director of Enterprise Ireland, highlighted Vietnam’s growing importance in Ireland’s ASEAN cooperation strategy. He noted that Enterprise Ireland views Vietnam as a strategic gateway for Irish companies seeking to expand into Southeast Asia, particularly in high technology, innovation, the green economy, and sustainable development, while leveraging Vietnam’s extensive network of free trade agreements.
Le Dinh Ba, Counselor and Trade Representative of Vietnam to the United Kingdom reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to advancing trade liberalization, market openness, and attracting high-quality European investment, including from Ireland.
He emphasized that Vietnam prioritizes cooperation with Irish partners in renewable energy, green finance, digital transformation, and high-tech industries, and pledged that the Vietnamese Trade Office will continue to serve as a bridge connecting businesses, facilitating partnerships, and supporting concrete cooperation projects.
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| Le Dinh Ba, Counselor and Trade Representative of Vietnam to the United Kingdom reaffirms Vietnam’s commitment to advancing trade liberalization, market openness (Photo: baotintuc.vn) |
At the forum, Irish enterprises showcased their capabilities and shared cooperation plans in the Vietnamese market, particularly in aviation infrastructure management and airport development, biotechnology, environmental treatment solutions, and environmentally friendly technologies aimed at sustainable growth.
Vietnamese businesses, meanwhile, highlighted cooperation opportunities in sectors where Vietnam holds competitive advantages, such as coffee, information technology and digital transformation, the development of high-tech industrial parks, and policies designed to attract investment into high-tech zones. They emphasized that Vietnam is not only a fast-growing consumer market but also an appealing investment destination for Irish companies due to its improving business environment and deep global integration.
The forum was part of a broader series of trade and investment promotion activities in 2025 organized by the Vietnamese Trade Office in the UK. It drew strong interest from trade promotion agencies and business communities in both countries, with 50 companies attending in person and 100 joining online.
Participants included major Irish firms such as DAA International, Anabio Technology Limited, and Auranta, alongside Vietnamese companies operating in the UK and Ireland, including FPT Software London, TT Meridian, and Minh Tien Coffee.
Discussions at the event underscored the complementary strengths of Vietnamese and Irish businesses, pointing to substantial potential for cooperation in trade, investment, and value chain integration, and contributing to the development of bilateral economic relations in a practical, effective, and sustainable manner.
Vietnam set to enter Top 15 global trading economies this year
Vietnam’s total import-export turnover in 2025 is expected to reach a record US$920 billion, propelling the country into the top 15 global trading economies and second in ASEAN, according to the Ministry of Industry and Trade.
As of December 15, 2025, Vietnam’s trade turnover reached US$883.7 billion, with exports projected at over US$470 billion, up 16% from 2024. The country continues a 10-year streak of trade surpluses, with an estimated surplus of US$22 billion in 2025.
Since surpassing US$100 billion in trade in 2009, Vietnam has steadily climbed the global trade ranks, crossing US$200 billion in 2011, US$500 billion in 2019, US$800 billion in November 2025, and now on track to exceed US$900 billion by December 2025.
Export diversity and market reach have also expanded, with 36 items exceeding US$1 billion each in exports and 35 export markets surpassing US$1 billion each, reflecting Vietnam’s growing role in global trade and its continued economic momentum, VOV reported.
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| Vietnam’s total import-export turnover in 2025 is expected to reach a record US$920 billion, propelling the country into the top 15 global trading economies and second in ASEAN. |
The Ministry of Industry and Trade also reported that Vietnam’s e-commerce sector generated more than US$31 billion in 2025, accounting for about 10% of total retail sales and two-thirds of the digital economy. Trade promotion embraced digital transformation and green development, with major events like the 80-Year National Achievements Exhibition and Autumn Fair boosting the country’s brand value to nearly US$520 billion, climbing the global economic rankings.
Deepening international economic integration, including the launch of the FTA Index and flexible responses to global trade shifts, strengthened Vietnam’s market presence. Key energy projects advanced Vietnam into the ASEAN leaders and top 20 globally in electricity system scale, laying a strong foundation for future growth.
ADB finances sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture in Vietnam
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Joint Stock Commercial Bank for Investment and Development of Vietnam (BIDV) signed a US$250 million syndicated finance package designed to support sustainable and climate-resilient agriculture in Vietnam.
The package also aims to expand access to finance for women-owned small and medium-sized enterprises (WSMEs) in the Southeast Asian country.
The financing package comprises US$100 million from ADB's ordinary capital resources, US$20 million from the Canadian Climate and Nature Fund for the Private Sector in Asia (CANPA), a US$50 million syndicated parallel loan from Japan International Cooperation Agency, and a US$80 million syndicated commercial parallel loan from other banks.
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| Photo: VGP |
As the mandated lead arranger and bookrunner, ADB structured, syndicated, and arranged the entire debt package, mobilizing private capital into Vietnam's SME sector.
This transaction represents an important milestone in ADB's partnership with BIDV and in promoting climate-smart, inclusive growth in Vietnam's agriculture sector, said ADB Country Director for Vietnam Shantanu Chakraborty.
By blending commercial and concessional capital and providing technical assistance, this project will help strengthen BIDV's capacity to serve farmers and agribusinesses, especially women entrepreneurs, while supporting Vietnam's transition toward a green and resilient economy, he added.
Agriculture plays a vital role in Vietnam's economy, employing about 45 percent of the labor force. However, the sector faces challenges from fragmented production, limited technology adoption, and increasing climate risks, VGP reported.
As Vietnam pursues its goal of becoming a top 15 global agricultural exporter by 2030, substantial investment—estimated at nearly US$100 billion—will be needed to enhance climate resilience, reduce emissions, and maintain competitiveness.
The facility will provide sub-loans to agribusinesses engaged in sustainable agricultural production, climate adaptation, and resource efficiency. It will also help BIDV develop new financial products that promote green and inclusive lending, enhance credit assessment for agriculture, and expand access to finance for WSMEs in rural areas.
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