| Vietnam News Today (Jan. 22) notable headlines China-Vietnam partnership rooted in enduring core values: Chinese scholar Vietnam’s development model continues to inspire progressive forces: Belgian party official AMRO forecasts Vietnam to lead growth in ASEAN+3 in 2026 Vietnam to outpace Thailand as top destination for Korean tourists Lunar New Year holiday may see severe cold spell in Vietnam Vietnam targets deeper market penetration in Hong Kong in 2026 13th ASEAN Para Games: Vietnamese swimmer breaks Games record to win gold External relations, integration vital to national construction, defence: Deputy FM Political parties, organizations, int’l friends send congratulations to 14th National Party Congress |
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| General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam (R) and General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and President of China Xi Jinping (Photo: VNA) |
China-Vietnam partnership rooted in enduring core values: Chinese scholar
China - Vietnam relations are rooted in enduring core values, a solid strategic political foundation and ample room for further expansion, Prof. Cui Shoujun from the Institute of International Development Studies at Renmin University of China told Vietnam News Agency corespondents in Beijing.
Cui noted that when high-ranking Chinese leaders and state media refer to bilateral ties, they consistently highlight the four emblematic phrases of “good neighbors, good friends, good comrades and good partners”. These concepts, he said, carry profound significance, encapsulating the distinctive nature and long-term trajectory of the relationship.
In many global and regional issues, China and Vietnam hold similar views or closely aligned stances which he described as a key foundation to further consolidate and deepen bilateral ties amid an increasingly complex and volatile global landscape.
In recent years, Party-to-Party cooperation has emerged as a notable highlight, complementing traditional state-to-state diplomacy. From an academic perspective, Cui observed that Party-to-Party diplomacy has become an effective platform for dialogue, enabling both sides to share governance experience, development strategies and approaches to long-term strategic issues.
At a time when many countries rely almost entirely on state diplomacy, he argued, the continued use of Party-level exchanges by China and Vietnam has reinforced the political groundwork of their relationship, cited VNA
On the economic front, he highlighted the high degree of complementarity between the two economies. China possesses a vast, comprehensive industrial chain as a major global economy, while Vietnam offers a vibrant, fast-growing developing market increasingly central to regional supply chains. More Chinese investment in Vietnam not only creates jobs, fuels economic growth and improves living standards for Vietnamese citizens, but also allows Chinese firms to scale operations, grow assets and broaden global footprint.
Looking ahead, he anticipated that bilateral ties are to deepen further and sustain robust momentum. As global production chains and industries undergo restructuring and relocation, these shifts, in his view, also create additional spaces and new opportunities for economic cooperation.
He concluded that China - Vietnam ties are poised to further grow in a stable, healthy and sustainable manner. In a rapidly evolving global and regional landscapes, closer coordination between the two countries is becoming ever more vital for common peace, stability and development. Beyond delivering tangible benefits to their people, the bilateral relationship also contributes positively to wider regional cooperation, he added.
Vietnam’s development model continues to inspire progressive forces: Belgian party official
Entering a period of peace and development, Vietnam continues to inspire many countries through its distinctive development path, according to Benjamin Pestieau, Deputy General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB).
In an interview with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Brussels, Pestieau praised Vietnam for successfully balancing economic growth with human development, poverty reduction, the preservation of strategic autonomy, and proactive, in-depth integration into global value chains. He said these achievements are reflected in the country’s strong growth indicators and the sharp decline in poverty rates in recent years, yet Vietnam’s development model and poverty reduction experience remain insufficiently recognised internationally.
Recalling his Vietnam visit in 2002, the Belgian party official said he was impressed by the strong sense of collectivism, the spirit of service to the people and the nation, and the readiness to make sacrifices among Vietnamese cadres. These values, he said, continue to inspire progressive forces around the world.
He stressed that the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) has repeatedly affirmed its values, identity and leadership capacity throughout history, particularly through its leadership during the struggle against US imperialism in the 1960s and 1970s. That struggle, he said, was not only a war of national liberation for Vietnam but also a powerful symbol for national liberation movements worldwide, according to NDO.
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| Benjamin Pestieau, Deputy General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Belgium (PTB) speaks to Viet Nam News Agency correspondents in Brussels. (Photo: VNA) |
According to Pestieau, the Vietnamese people’s struggle under the CPV’s leadership received broad international support, especially from progressive youth movements at the time. Vietnam’s victory demonstrated that a small nation, with a clear-sighted path and strong national unity, could defeat a major military and economic power, he noted.
Commenting on the significance of the 14th National Congress of the CPV, Pestieau said the most notable aspect was its ambitious development vision. The orientations focus on promoting economic growth alongside human resource development, fostering innovation, proactively responding to climate change, and pursuing an active foreign policy aimed at preventing conflict and building international relations based on mutual respect and shared development. These directions, he said, reflect the Party’s long-term and comprehensive vision for leading Vietnam into a new era of sustainable and responsible development.
Regarding relations between the CPV and the PTB, Pestieau noted that from the PTB’s early days, Vietnam’s victory in national liberation and President Ho Chi Minh's thought served as a major source of inspiration for young students who founded PTB. Vietnam’s victory, he said, remains a lasting source of spiritual strength for those striving for a fairer world.
Looking ahead, he assessed prospects for ties between the two parties as positive, citing their shared commitment to serving the people, strengthening international solidarity, promoting socio-economic progress, protecting the environment, and safeguarding peace.
Amid increasingly complex regional and global developments, Pestieau underscored the importance of strengthening links among political parties and progressive forces to uphold peace, stability and international cooperation, based on respect for the UN Charter, international law, and national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
AMRO forecasts Vietnam to lead growth in ASEAN+3 in 2026
The ASEAN+3 Macroeconomic Research Office (AMRO) forecasts Vietnam’s GDP growth in 2026 at 7.6%, the highest among ASEAN+3 economies, in its quarterly update of the ASEAN+3 Regional Economic Outlook (AREO) released on January 21.
The projection reflects Vietnam’s increasingly prominent role in regional supply chains, as well as the effectiveness of FDI inflows into manufacturing, technology, and export-oriented services.
It also estimates the ASEAN+3 economy, including the ASEAN member states of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam, and China, Japan and the Republic of Korea, to have grown by 4.3% in 2025, and projects growth to moderate to 4% in 2026.
The growth updates reflect upward revisions of 0.2 percentage points for both years compared with the October 2025 AREO Update. The region’s solid performance in 2025 was underpinned by less severe tariff outcomes than initially expected, resilient technology export growth, strong investment in ASEAN, and accommodative macroeconomic policies, cited VNA.
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| With 2025 on track for around 8% growth, Vietnam has solid momentum heading into the new year (Photo: VNA) |
Inflation is estimated at 0.9% in 2025 and projected at 1.2% in 2026, remaining below the region’s long-run average.
“The ASEAN+3 region has demonstrated notable resilience, navigating global uncertainties more effectively than anticipated,” said AMRO Chief Economist Dong He. “Strong technology demand and robust FDI inflows into emerging sectors, including advanced electronics, electric vehicles, and digital services, have helped cushion growth despite ongoing tariff headwinds.”
Risks to the outlook have become more balanced, but uncertainty remains elevated. Key concerns include unpredictable US trade policy and the potential extension and broadening of protectionist measures. A sharp slowdown in technology demand, whether from market corrections or delays in downstream AI deployment, could weigh on regional exports, given the sector’s extensive regional linkages. Other downside risks include slower growth in major economies and heightened financial market volatility.
“While the balance of risks has improved, the external environment remains highly uncertain. In the near term, maintaining policy readiness to respond to emerging shocks is critical. Over the longer term, diversifying growth drivers and deepening regional economic integration will be essential to strengthen the region’s resilience,” he added.
Vietnam to outpace Thailand as top destination for Korean tourists
Vietnam is expected to strengthen its position as one of the most popular overseas destinations for Korean travellers in 2026, outperforming regional rival Thailand in both visitor numbers and growth momentum, according to a new outlook by Yanolja Research in the Republic of Korea (RoK).
The report forecasts that Japan, Vietnam, China and Thailand will together account for 65.2% of the RoK’s total outbound travel demand. The number of Koreans travelling abroad is projected to exceed 30 million in 2026, up from an estimated 29 million in 2025.
Vietnam is anticipated to see a notable rebound in Korean arrivals in 2026. Under a stable scenario, the country could welcome about 4.56 million visitors from the RoK, an increase of roughly 4% year on year. Analysts described the increase as a “technical recovery” following a decline of around 5% in 2025, reinforcing Vietnam’s status as Southeast Asia’s most attractive destination for Korean tourists.
Compared with Thailand, which is Vietnam’s biggest regional competitor, the country is projected to significantly outperform in both scale and growth momentum in 2026. Korean arrivals to Vietnam have consistently outnumbered those to Thailand for years, especially since tourism gradually rebounded after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to VOV.
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| Korean tourists explore popular attractions in Vietnam. |
Between 2023 and the 2026 projection, Vietnam has maintained a higher level of Korean arrivals than Thailand. In 2024, the number of Korean tourists to both destinations rose sharply, up 27% for Vietnam and 12% for Thailand. In 2025, both countries recorded a decline, but Vietnam’s decrease was milder than Thailand’s steeper drop.
The report attributed Vietnam’s stronger appeal to several factors, including its reputation as a safe destination, which supports repeat travel. Vietnam is also seen as more price-competitive, while Thailand has gradually lost its image as a budget destination amid the appreciation of the Thai baht.
In addition, many airlines have begun rolling out promotional programmes to regain market share in Vietnam following capacity adjustments, helping create favourable conditions for a recovery in international arrivals.
Yanolja Research noted that Vietnam has evolved in the eyes of Korean travellers from a traditional holiday destination into a symbol of an ideal leisure retreat in Asia. Despite ongoing challenges, the country is set to stay well ahead of Thailand in attracting Korean tourists, supported by advantages in safety, exchange rates and overall economic stability.
Lunar New Year holiday may see severe cold spell in Vietnam
Vietnam may experience severe cold spells during the Lunar New Year holiday as subsequent cold air outbreaks are forecast to hit northern and central regions from late January into early February, meteorologists said.
Amid increasingly erratic weather patterns driven by climate change, meteorological experts warned that northern Vietnam and several other regions could brace for cold air outbreaks in the second half of January, extending into early February 2026.
The first cold spell is forecast to hit between January 21-25, pushing temperatures in northern mountainous areas down to 9-10°C, with some locations falling lower. In the Red River Delta and Hanoi, temperatures are expected to drop to around 13-14°C. Central Vietnam will see nighttime temperatures of 17-20°C, while Da Lat could cool to 12-13°C. The cold surge is also anticipated to bring light, scattered rain to central regions, intensifying cold and damp conditions.
A second, stronger cold air mass is forecast from around January 28, persisting into early February 2026. Temperatures in highland areas of northern Vietnam could fall to as low as 6°C, while the Red River Delta is projected to see lows of 12–13°C, cited VOV.
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| Vietnam may see severe cold during the Lunar New Year 2026 as multiple cold air surges are forecast from late January into early February. |
Provinces from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai may experience prolonged light rain and chilly, humid weather, with bird’s nest farmers advised to strengthen cold-protection measures for swiftlet populations.
The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting said the Lunar New Year in 2026 is scheduled to fall in February, a period when cold air activity is typically strong.
Although average cold intensity over the next three months is forecast to be weaker than in many previous years, severe cold spells are likely to be concentrated in February, potentially making this year’s holiday colder than in recent years. Frost and snowfall risks have also been flagged for high-altitude areas in northern Vietnam during January and February.
Meteorologists attributed the outlook to the El Nino–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) currently in a weak La Nina phase, with sea surface temperature anomalies in the central Pacific at around minus 0.5°C. Over the next three months, ENSO is expected to shift toward neutral conditions with a 75%-85% probability, while the likelihood of La Nina persisting has fallen to 15%-25%, increasing short-term weather volatility and the risk of unusually intense cold spells.
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