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Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko (Photo courtesy of Russian Embassy in Vietnam).

Russia ready to expand cooperation in new energy areas with Vietnam: Ambassador

The Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and Vietnam have seen significant progress in recent years, with continued positive momentum in 2025, said Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Gennady Bezdetko in an interview with the Vietnam News Agency on the outset of the Lunar New Year Festival (Tet) – Vietnam’s biggest annual traditional celebration.

The ambassador attributed this progress to enhanced political dialogue between their leaders, underpinned by mutual trust. Notable milestones last year included Russian President Vladimir Putin’s state visit to Vietnam from June 19-20, and his meetings with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh at the BRICS Summit in Kazan on October 24, which provided a strong impetus for multifaceted cooperation. This positive trajectory continued in 2025 with Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin's recent official visit to Vietnam, during which both sides reached practical agreements in various fields.

According to the diplomat, bilateral trade has been on the rise. Vietnam's statistics showed that the two-way trade turnover in the January-November period increased by 25% to 4.15 billion USD. The two countries aim to increase this figure to 15 billion USD by 2030, by leveraging opportunities created by the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU - including Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan).

Bezdetko said promising cooperation areas include oil and gas, nuclear energy for peaceful purposes, automobile manufacturing, agriculture, and high technology. Regional collaboration is also being prioritised by Russia, with efforts underway to facilitate projects involving small- and medium-sized enterprises in both countries, cited VNA.

Both sides are keen to expand joint work in culture and humanities, with over 3,000 Vietnamese students currently studying at Russian universities, the diplomat added.

He stated that for Russia, Vietnam remains a key partner in Southeast Asia. The ambassador highlighted Vietnam’s role as an important hub for Russian exports to the region and shared that Russian companies are focusing on modernizing shipping, transport and digital services to streamline trade with Vietnam.

The diplomat suggested the two sides expand cooperation into new areas such as solar and wind energy, as well as green transport. Russia is ready to implement nuclear power projects in Vietnam and develop electric waterway transport systems. Additionally, Russia is exploring the possibility of supplying Vietnam with low-carbon industrial products and liquefied natural gas (LNG).

Other potential areas of collaboration include public administration digitalisation, cybersecurity, and artificial intelligence, where Russia has considerable expertise to share, he recommended.

Talking about his expectations for breakthroughs this year in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, he assessed that both sides are continuing to collaborate to further enhance the supply of goods to each other’s markets, as well as to explore solutions and secure bilateral payment mechanisms for international trade transactions.

Russia is ready to provide Vietnam with oil, LNG, and petroleum products, and help Vietnam develop renewable energy projects and electric waterway transport systems, he said.

Efforts to build the Vietnam-Russia center for nuclear science and technology will continue, with Russia offering its expertise to develop Vietnam’s nuclear power industry, Bezdetko affirmed. Russia's State Atomic Energy Corporation Rosatom is also ready to participate in the construction of the Ninh Thuan-1 nuclear power plant using state-of-the-art technology, he added.

E-commerce growth helps to boost exports of Vietnamese products

E-commerce achieved its growth target of 18-20% in 2024, surpassing US$25 billion. With new growth drivers, this market is projected to exceed US$30 billion in 2025, provided domestic enterprises receive support to accelerate exports via e-commerce.

Currently, Vietnam's micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) face both opportunities and challenges in cross-border e-commerce. Among surveyed MSMEs engaged in cross-border e-commerce, 93% affirmed that exporting would not be possible without platforms like Amazon Global Selling, Alibaba, or eBay. High logistics costs, a lack of skilled workforce, and limited knowledge of foreign markets are among significant barriers that deter MSMEs from expanding their investments in cross-border e-commerce.

Acknowledging that many localities, industries, and enterprises have yet to fully tap into the potential of e-commerce for promotion and distribution, Nguyen Lam Thanh, general director of TikTok Vietnam, shared that over the past two years, TikTok has undertaken programmes on digital and green transformation to enhance digital skills for localities.

“On the TikTok platform, through unique perspectives and storytelling by content creators, products can gain widespread exposure. TikTok's goal is to build brands for products, including their cultural, historical, and origin stories, thereby boosting consumption and driving socio-economic development,” emphasized the TikTok CEO.

At present, 95% of surveyed Vietnamese MSMEs reported difficulties in finding high-quality human resources for cross-border e-commerce. Businesses acknowledge their lack of understanding of import regulations via e-commerce in foreign markets and seek additional training.

As Vietnam enters the initial stages of online exports, 2025 will be a pivotal year to transition online exports into a takeoff phase by 2026. Doan Quoc Tam, head of Cooperation under the Vietnam E-commerce Association (VECOM), stated that the first condition for online exports to take off is for MSMEs to proactively invest in high-quality human resources. These should include those proficient in foreign languages, capable of creative product development, and building brands that meet the demands of online customers abroad.

“In addition to creating their own websites or mobile applications, MSMEs should leverage reputable global online export platforms to quickly access international markets. Government agencies in e-commerce, the digital economy, logistics, and customs should monitor development trends, consider online exports an integral part of e-commerce, and propose specific policies and solutions to effectively support MSMEs in online exports,” suggested Tam.

To support the MSME community facing numerous challenges in online exports, Nguyen Thi Minh Huyen, deputy director of the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, said that the department has requested the E-commerce Development Center to research and develop an online export ecosystem (Ecomex) with specific solutions to realize the government's vision of assisting Vietnamese enterprises in bringing potential export products to international markets via e-commerce, according to VOV.

Photo: VOV

“In addition, the Department of E-commerce and Digital Economy regularly organizes training programmes on e-commerce in general and cross-border e-commerce in particular, to enhance the quality of human resources and disseminate updated regulations, procedures, and knowledge to government officials and the business community,” added Huyen.

The Ministry of Industry and Trade is accelerating the development of the draft plan on national e-commerce development for 2026-2030. The draft positions online exports as a vital component of e-commerce development, while proposing specific goals, policies, and solutions to effectively support MSMEs in online exports.

Setting ambitious goals for online exports, alongside strong coordination and support from government agencies, will drive domestic MSMEs to invest and develop into global brands.

Vietnam’s renewal journey inspires nations globally: Indian Party chief

Since the launch of the Doi Moi (renewal) process in 1986, Vietnam has charted an extraordinary path toward development and prosperity, serving as a model for nations within the region and beyond through careful planning and leadership.

It was affirmed by Prof. G. Devarajan, General Secretary of the All India Forward Bloc (AIFB), during an interview with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporters based in New Delhi on the occasion of the 95th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) (February 3, 1930 - 2025).

Devarajan said the Doi Moi process was designed to modernize and improve the efficiency of Vietnam’s economy, and open the country to global trade while maintaining the socialist orientation of the state.

These reforms have propelled Vietnam from one of the world’s poorest countries to a rapidly developing economy, with considerable improvements in living standards, infrastructure, and human development. Under the leadership of late General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, the CPV has successfully navigated this process, ensuring sustainable development and socio-economic stability, while maintaining the Party's leadership role in governance, he said.

He expressed his confidence that under the CPV’s current leadership, General Secretary To Lam and State President Luong Cuong will continue the Doi Moi process and successfully address the new challenges emerging in the modern, globalised world.

The Indian Party chief suggested that Vietnam should focus on sustaining economic growth, improving social welfare, and ensuring the CPV’s leadership role in the country’s political life, cited VNA.

A music show marking the CPV's 95th anniversary in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

He underscored the importance of transformation and modernization, combating corruption, and streamlining the administrative apparatus to achieve the Party's long-term goals of sustainable development, social justice, and political stability.

By preventing corruption, Vietnam can ensure that policies and resources reach the people, improve management efficiency and strengthen the CPV’s leadership and its relationship with the people, he said.

As Vietnam steps into a transformative era of growth and renewal, he said the CPV, in its leadership role, will face both tremendous opportunities and challenges. By leveraging its core strengths - people-centerd policies, ideological commitment, and lessons learned from past experiences, the CPV can steer the country toward sustained progress and realizing its vision of a prosperous, just, and equitable society.

The AIFB, a devoted ally in the global socialist movement, stands united and wholeheartedly supports the CPV and its people, he said, believing that under the CPV’s leadership, Vietnam will continue to thrive, overcoming all obstacles and achieving even greater heights of development and prosperity.

In his conclusion, he stressed that the journey Vietnam is undertaking will not only elevate the nation but also serve as an inspiring example for socialist movements around the world, proving that a development path centerd on the people is not only feasible but essential for achieving true social justice.

Tet celebrations held across North America

The Vietnamese communities in the US and Canada celebrated Tet (Lunar New Year) with vibrant cultural events that highlighted national pride and cross-cultural understanding.

In New York, the Vietnamese Permanent Mission to the UN and the Vietnamese Consulate General hosted the Homeland Spring program on Saturday, drawing the participation of more than 500 guests despite frigid temperatures.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of the Vietnamese mission, highlighted Vietnam’s socio-economic development in 2024 and expressed his profound gratitude to the Vietnamese people in the US East Coast for turning their hearts to the Fatherland while emphasising their unbreakable connections to the nation.

He underscored 2025 as a significant milestone for Vietnam as after 80 years of national independence and 50 years since national reunification, the country is entering an era of the nation’s rise, VNS reported.

Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, head of the Vietnamese mission, gives warm Tet greetings. Photo: VNS

Giang underlined the importance of the great national solidarity, noting that he hopes generations of the Vietnamese people in the US will enhance contributions to the homeland’s development as well as the Vietnam – US comprehensive strategic partnership.

In Canada, the Canada – Vietnam Cultural and Educational Council (CVCEC) orchestrated meaningful initiatives to showcase Vietnamese cultural traditions during Tet.

Collaborating with several education establishments in the country, the CVCEC arranged cultural performances, traditional costume displays, and educational programs that also attracted many international students.

The origin and significance of Vietnamese Tet were introduced at the events, helping promote traditional values and solidarity while leaving lasting impressions on international friends.

HCM City hosts diverse recreational activities for Lunar New Year

During Lunar New Year 2025, entertainment venues in Ho Chi Minh City are hosting a variety of exciting activities to cater to both residents and tourists.

As one of 15 fireworks display locations, Dam Sen Cultural Park in District 11 will hold a spectacular fireworks show from 11:30pm to midnight on January 28 with tickets priced at just VND70,000 (US$2.8).

In addition to the fireworks, Dam Sen has prepared other fascinating activities, such as a vibrant laser and water music show, as well as a music festival featuring cheerful melodies to welcome the new year.

Furthermore, during the holiday, the park offers activities that showcase the traditional Vietnamese culture through the “Tet Viet” program.

Highlights include the “Phuoc – Loc – Tho” performance, which recreates Tet customs, and the story “Huyen su Rong Tien”, which portrays the legend of Lac Long Quan and Au Co through circus, music, and light art.

Visitors can also enjoy thrilling rides like a roller coaster, waterfall boat ride, power surge, and high-speed spinning rides.

Joining in the festive atmosphere, Suoi Tien Cultural Tourism Area in Thu Duc city introduces a “Tet xuyen khong” combo with a range of activities such as exploring the dry park and watching the special “Suoi Tien – Tet xưa truong ton” show, which combines circus, folk dance, and fireworks.

Guests can also visit “Pho Ong Do” to write calligraphy, receive lucky words, and enjoy unique calligraphy demonstrations.

Additionally, visitors can experience traditional Tet activities, including bamboo dancing, wish-making at a “Neu” tree, fortune-telling, and folk games like “bau cua” (gourd-crab game) and “o an quan” (Mandarin square capturing game).

The combo is discounted by 10% when purchased with tickets to Tien Dong Beach, Suoi Tien farm, the sheep farm, or the model grape farm.

Suoi Tien also offers free admission for children under 1.4m who arrive via Metro Line 1, along with complimentary train ride tickets.

According to Bui Thi To Trinh, deputy general director of Suoi Tien Cultural Tourism Joint Stock Company, the number of visitors to Suoi Tien during the Lunar New Year 2024 saw a significant increase compared to regular days, surging 10–20% compared to the same period of the previous year.

To ensure quality service, Suoi Tien has strengthened its staff to assist and guide visitors, maintained strict food safety and fire prevention standards, and collaborated with local authorities to ensure safety and security for all guests.

This season, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens in District 1 also offer a variety of exciting programs and activities.

From the first to the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, visitors can play with capybaras (which the zoo had acquired earlier this month), participate in the special “Du Xuan may man” tour, and enjoy cultural and artistic performances such as lion and dragon dances, snake showcases, snake venom extraction demonstrations, and the music program “Xuan yeu thuong”.

Children can feed animals, join folk games and enjoy water playgrounds, cited VOV.

Photo: VOV

In addition to entertainment venues, many HCM City residents are expected to visit famous cultural and historical sites such as Independence Palace, HCM City Central Post Office, the City Hall (HCM City People's Committee Building), and museums.

This year, with the official launch of Metro Line 1, visitors can combine metro travel with sightseeing at many popular destinations in HCM City.

For instance, from Ben Thanh Station, visitors can walk 450m to HCM City Museum of Fine Arts, 350m to Ben Thanh Market, or around one kilometer to Tao Dan Park and Thong Nhat Square.

Other attractions in the city center, such as Nguyen Hue Pedestrian Street, HCM City Central Post Office, Notre Dame Cathedral of Saigon, and Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, are also located near station exits.

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