Vietnam News Today (Mar. 2): Over 38 Billion USD in Public Investment to Fuel New Growth Momentum

	Vietnam News Today (Feb. 28): Vietnamese, Portuguese Foreign Ministers Hold Talks in Hanoi
	Vietnam News Today (Mar. 1): Vietnamese, Portuguese Foreign Ministers Hold Talks in Hanoi

Pasaxon, the official newspaper of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), has published an article highlighting enhanced cooperation between the National Assemblies of Laos and Vietnam toward deepening their strategic partnership in the new period. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Laos step up parliamentary cooperation to realize strategic cohesion

Pasaxon, the official newspaper of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP), has published an article highlighting enhanced cooperation between the National Assemblies of Laos and Vietnam toward deepening their strategic partnership in the new period.

According to the article, amid rapidly evolving and unpredictable global and regional developments that are exerting profound impacts on all countries, including Laos and Vietnam, solidarity and mutual support between the two Parties, States and National Assemblies remain an objective necessity and a historical rule. This close bond constitutes one of the greatest and most vital sources of strength for each country’s national construction and defence, while contributing to preserving and developing the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic partnership between the two nations.

In recent years, Vietnam-Lao parliamentary cooperation has been continuously strengthened and deepened, achieving notable results across multiple fields. High-level exchanges and meetings have been maintained in flexible formats, creating favourable conditions for sharing lessons and experience in law-making, supreme supervision and decision-making on important national issues.

The two sides have actively implemented their cooperation agreements and maintained close, coordinated and effective collaboration, contributing significantly to the overall bilateral relationship. Even in difficult and complex circumstances, both sides have consistently prioritized the development of the Laos–Vietnam relationship. Exchanges among specialised committees and friendship parliamentarians’ groups have also yielded positive outcomes.

Coordination at multilateral parliamentary forums, particularly within the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), has helped enhance each country’s prestige and credibility, while promoting a common voice for peace, security and sustainable development in the region.

Notably, the two legislatures have jointly published the book on the 50 years of the legislative ties, vividly reflecting their comprehensive cooperation and reaffirming the sound leadership of the two Parties and States, as well as the proactive and important role played by the two parliaments in consolidating bilateral ties, particularly among younger generations.

To realize the policy of elevating bilateral ties and enriching the substance of their strategic partnership, the two National Assemblies will continue to prioritize close coordination and experience sharing in legislative and supervisory work, while facilitating the effective implementation of high-level agreements, especially the Laos–Vietnam Cooperation Strategy for 2021–2030 and the bilateral Cooperation Agreement for 2021–2025, cited VNA.

Future priorities include increasing high-level delegation exchanges, strengthening cooperation in digital transformation, green energy transition, infrastructure connectivity and education-training, and sharing experience in building digital parliaments and applying artificial intelligence in parliamentary activities. The two sides will also step up collaboration between provincial-level People’s Councils and promote people-to-people exchanges to safeguard a peaceful, friendly and cooperative border.

Training and human resources development, especially for parliamentary officials, will be another strategic focus. The two legislatures will continue to coordinate closely and support each other at regional and international parliamentary forums such as the IPU, AIPA, the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) and the Parliamentary Assembly of the Francophonie (APF).

The article concludes that the Laos–Vietnam relationship, built on great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, and elevated to a strategic partnership, remains an invaluable asset and a powerful source of strength for both nations.

In the coming five years, the two National Assemblies will intensify coordination to effectively implement the resolutions of their respective Party congresses, ensuring that parliamentary cooperation continues to develop in a substantive and practical manner, contributing to deepening the special Laos–Vietnam ties in the new period.

Tam Chuc complex in Ninh Binh granted special national relic status

Authorities of northern Ninh Binh province on February 28 held a ceremony to announce the Prime Minister’s decision recognising the Tam Chuc scenic and archaeological complex as a Special National Relic.

The event took place at the Tam Chuc tourism site in Tam Chuc ward and was attended by National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Thanh, Most Venerable Thich Thanh Nhieu, Permanent Vice Chairman of the Executive Council of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha and abbot of Tam Chuc Pagoda, along with thousands of local residents and visitors.

At the ceremony, Director of the Department of Cultural Heritage under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Le Thi Thu Hien presented the decision and the certificate to Ninh Binh, according to VNA.

Authorities of northern Ninh Binh province on February 28 hold a ceremony to announce the Prime Minister’s decision recognising the Tam Chuc scenic and archaeological complex as a Special National Relic. (Photo: VNA)

Speaking at the event, Vice Chairman of the Ninh Binh provincial People’s Committee Tran Song Tung described the recognition as a historic milestone for Tam Chuc and for Ninh Binh as a whole. The title not only acknowledges the site’s outstanding values but also affirms the province’s position on Vietnam’s heritage map, he said, stressing that it brings both pride and responsibility in preserving and promoting the relic for future generations.

Local authorities pledged to strictly implement regulations on heritage protection, step up communication and education efforts, particularly among younger generations, and closely link conservation with sustainable development. Cultural and religious festivals will be organised in a solemn, civilized and economical manner, while heritage values will be promoted alongside cultural tourism to improve local livelihoods.

In the coming time, Ninh Binh will work closely with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, experts, businesses and local communities to ensure sustainable preservation and restoration of the complex. The province also plans to gradually prepare a nomination dossier for “Tam Chuc Complex – Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve” to seek UNESCO World Heritage recognition.

Immediately after the certificate presentation, a special art program titled “Tam Chuc Concert 2026” was staged.

Tam Chuc is a large cultural, spiritual and tourism complex linking Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Hung Yen and Phu Tho provinces. Archaeological artefacts found beneath Tam Chuc Lake and local folklore suggest that more than 1,000 years ago, during the Dinh Dynasty, the area was home to an ancient pagoda and a vibrant Buddhist center.

“Women and journey of inspiration” unites Vietnamese community in Kansai

A discussion marking International Women’s Day on March 8 under the theme “Women and journey of inspiration” was held on March 1 at the Consulate General of Vietnam in Osaka, Japan, in a solemn, warm and meaningful atmosphere.

The event was attended by representatives of the Consulate General, Vietnamese associations and many Vietnamese women living, studying and working in Kansai.

Speaking at the event, Nguyen Van Loi, Chief of Office of the Consulate General, acknowledged and highly valued the role and contributions of Vietnamese women in preserving family values, nurturing national cultural identity and building a united and strong Vietnamese community in Japan. He affirmed that the Consulate General consistently supports practical activities for Vietnamese women and families in the host country.

Le Thuong, President of the Vietnamese Association in Kansai and representative of the organizing board, said the annual dialogue marking International Women’s Day aims to create a space for connection, exchange and honoring the values of Vietnamese women living far from home. The event also strengthens ties among associations and the Vietnamese community in Kansai, according to VOV.

At the event (Photo: VNA)

Moderated by Le Thuong, the discussion drew active participation from attendees. Through sincere and personal stories, participants shared their journeys in building careers, pursuing education, raising children, overcoming difficulties and achieving meaningful milestones while living abroad. The atmosphere was open and heartfelt, creating a strong sense of empathy among participants.

On the sidelines, Le Thuong said the theme encourages women to reflect on their journeys and gain greater confidence in their own value. Vietnamese women overseas face many challenges, including language barriers, cultural differences and balancing work and family responsibilities. However, she noted that they demonstrate resilience, creativity and compassion in overcoming those challenges. The association will continue organizing practical activities to connect and support women in the community.

Ngo Thi Dan, a teacher at Cay Tre Vietnamese Language School, said that listening to the shared experiences made her feel she was not alone. Despite different circumstances, participants shared a common aspiration to strive forward and preserve Vietnamese identity. The program gave her renewed motivation to pursue her career while raising her children to understand and take pride in their roots.

The event also featured cultural performances by members of the community. Folk melodies and songs about family and homeland created a warm atmosphere. Traditional Vietnamese dishes prepared by participants helped recreate the flavors of home and reflected dedication to preserving national culture.

Despite living far from home, Vietnamese women in Kansai continue to uphold cultural traditions and pass them on to younger generations. The discussion served not only to honor women but also to demonstrate solidarity and attachment to their roots within the Vietnamese community in Japan.

The program concluded in a warm atmosphere, leaving positive impressions and expectations for further meaningful activities for Vietnamese women abroad.

Over 38 billion USD in public investment to fuel new growth momentum

With total public investment planned at more than 1 quadrillion VND (38.52 billion USD) this year, the Government has demonstrated its determination to use public investment as a key driver to achieve economic growth of 10% or higher.

However, to ensure the funding's effectiveness, disbursement bottlenecks must be removed, leadership accountability strengthened, and implementation accelerated from the start of the year.

According to the plan assigned by the Prime Minister, the total public investment sourced from the State budget this year reaches nearly 995.35 trillion VND, about 93 trillion VND higher than in 2025. Of the total, the central budget capital accounts for 345.12 trillion VND, including 327.44 trillion VND in domestic capital and 17.68 trillion VND in foreign capital, while the local budget capital stands at 650.23 trillion VND.

In addition to the assigned plan, many localities have allocated additional balanced local budget capital.

Localities have increased their allocations by 12.93 trillion VND compared to the Prime Minister’s target.

Meanwhile, 42 billion VND from previous years has been permitted to be carried forward to 2026, mainly for national target programs.Economic experts say the 1 quadrillion VND reflects the Government’s strong resolve to leverage public investment as the principal growth engine to secure full-year expansion of at least 10%.

In the first month of the year, disbursement reached 19.13 trillion VND, equivalent to 2% of the plan assigned by the Prime Minister. Of this, central budget disbursement totalled 1.11 trillion VND, or 0.3%, while local budget disbursement reached 18.02 trillion VND, or 2.8%.Nevertheless, familiar bottlenecks persist, particularly those identified in 2025, including slow site clearance, shortages of construction materials, policy-related obstacles and uneven implementation capacity, especially at the grassroots level under the two-tier local government model.

To address these issues, the Government and the Ministry of Finance have issued directives requiring ministries, sectors and localities to review capital allocation plans, fully update data on the National Public Investment Information System and the Treasury and Budget Management Information System (TABMIS), and ensure sufficient conditions for disbursement.The Government has repeatedly stressed the role of agency heads, linking disbursement performance with task completion assessment and emulation rewards.

Detailed monthly and quarterly disbursement schedules for each project must be established as a benchmark for accountability.

Ministries and localities need to draw lessons from shortcomings in 2025, adopt more decisive management measures and accelerate disbursement, particularly for national key projects, major infrastructure works and national target programs.

For major national projects, especially transport infrastructure, authorities are requested to make full use of favourable weather conditions early in the year to speed up construction and investment preparation for large-scale projects such as the North–South high-speed railway and regional railway connections, VNA reported.

The interchange between Bien Hoa - Vung Tau Expressway and Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway. (Photo: VNA)

Regarding payment and settlement, ministries and localities are required to comply with Government Decree No. 254/2025/ND-CP on management and settlement of public investment projects, while streamlining procedures and promptly submitting payment dossiers for completed volumes to avoid end-of-year congestion.

According to the Ministry of Finance, total public investment capital assigned in 2025 exceeded 1.18 quadrillion VND.

As of January 31, 2026, disbursement reached 858.62 trillion VND, equal to 94.8% of the Prime Minister’s plan.

Although the 100% target was not fully met, the result played a vital role in supporting the economic growth of over 8% in 2025, exceeding both the absolute value and rate recorded in 2024.

Officials noted that 2025, the final year of the 2021–2025 medium-term plan, saw the largest public investment volume of the period amid complex natural disasters and mounting disbursement pressure. Strong political will, particularly from heads of agencies and local disbursement task forces, helped remove obstacles in site clearance and accelerate project implementation.

Public investment, therefore, is a decisive growth lever for 2026, provided that implementation is carried out in a more proactive, disciplined and results-oriented manner from the outset.

Tay Yen Tu Spring Festival promotes heritage, peace

The 2026 Tay Yen Tu Spring Festival opened at the Tay Yen Tu spiritual – ecological tourism complex in the northern province of Bac Ninh on February 28, attracting large numbers of Buddhists and visitors from far and wide.

Held at the Hoa Nghiem bell tower square, the ceremony marked the UNESCO recognition of the Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac Complex of Monuments and Landscapes, which spans Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh and Hung Yen provinces, as a World Cultural Heritage site and reflected local efforts to preserve and promote heritage values.

Le Duc Thang, Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairman of the People's Council of Tay Yen Tu commune, highlighted the site’s historical and cultural significance and the enduring values of harmony and peace promoted by King-Monk Tran Nhan Tong (1258–1308), who founded the Truc Lam Zen sect.

Tay Yen Tu is not just a festival space, but a place where the fundamental values that have shaped the character and enduring vitality of the Vietnamese people, especially patriotism and the aspiration for peace, converge and spread, he noted.

He added that the UNESCO recognition of the complex not only affirms the outstanding universal values of the heritage site, but also opens up opportunities for Tay Yen Tu to become a destination for international friends, helping to promote the image of Vietnam as a peaceful and humane country of sustainable development, reported VOV.

A performance at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Tay Yen Tu Spring Festival on February 28 (Photo: VNA)

The opening ceremony featured traditional rituals, art performances and a peace bell-ringing ceremony, expressing wishes for national prosperity and public well-being.

Various cultural and spiritual activities are taking place during the festival, helping promote national pride, tourism and investment attraction.

Local authorities aim to develop Tay Yen Tu into a key cultural and spiritual tourism hub, contributing to sustainable socio-economic development in Bac Ninh province and the wider region.

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