Vietnam News Today (Mar. 24): Vietnam Seeks Stronger LNG Cooperation with Russia During PM’s Visit

	Vietnam News Today (Mar. 22): Vietnam Reaffirms Russia as Key Strategic Partner
	Vietnam News Today (Mar. 23): Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh Leaves for Official Visit to Russia

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits and works with leaders of Novatek Group. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam seeks stronger LNG cooperation with Russia during PM’s visit

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on March 23 (local time) held a working session with Russia’s Novatek Group in Moscow as part of his official visit to Russia, seeking to accelerate cooperation on liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects and energy development.

The PM emphasized that the operations of Novatek, one of Russia’s and the world’s leading natural gas producers, align with Vietnam’s major development orientations and strategies, including its target of achieving economic growth of 10% or higher and reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 through key transformations, particularly in the energy sector.

He noted that Vietnam’s growth ambitions, alongside the expansion of emerging sectors such as artificial intelligence (AI), will require substantial and stable energy supplies.

At the meeting, Leonid Viktorovich Mikhelson, Chairman of Novatek, described Vietnam as one of the world’s fastest-growing economies with a strong focus on energy development. He expressed the company’s hope to continue receiving support to expand investment and cooperation activities in Vietnam, based on the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and longstanding traditional ties between the two countries.

Novatek has successfully implemented large-scale LNG projects and developed proprietary liquefied natural gas technologies. The group is currently showing strong interest in Vietnam’s LNG sector, including potential participation in the Ca Na project in Khanh Hoa province alongside partners such as Zarubezhneft and exploring opportunities in Vietnam’s rapidly growing gas market.

PM Chinh welcomed Novatek’s proactive engagement with Vietnamese partners, expressing confidence that alignment in development strategies would generate synergistic benefits for both sides.

He called on Novatek to closely coordinate with local authorities, relevant agencies and Vietnam’s major state-owned energy enterprises, including the Vietnam National Industry–Energy Group (Petrovietnam) and Vietnam Electricity (EVN), as well as private-sector firms, to implement LNG projects, including the construction of large-scale LNG storage facilities in Vietnam.

The PM also encouraged Vietnamese companies to strengthen cooperation with Novatek in LNG technology development, cited VNA.

The Novatek leader expressed strong agreement with PM Chinh, saying the company will actively engage with Vietnamese partners to advance projects and cooperation initiatives as suggested by the PM.

Evaluating energy cooperation between Vietnam and the Russia as a bright spot in bilateral ties over the past more than 50 years, PM Chinh expressed his appreciation to the Russian side for its investment and support for Vietnam’s oil and gas sector and Petrovietnam.

He noted that energy cooperation is an area of Russia’s strength and Vietnam’s demand, and a key pillar of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries.

Amid a rapidly changing, complex, and unpredictable global context, strengthening ties with traditional partners while diversifying supply sources, markets, products, and supply chains is of great importance, he said, adding that Vietnam is accelerating the application of science, technology, and innovation to restructure and transform its energy sector.

Affirming that both sides have demand and potential for cooperation, PM Chinh voiced support for Novatek to expand its operations and investment in Vietnam in line with legal regulations, taking into account the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, traditional friendship, and existing cooperation outcomes in the energy sector, while ensuring effective collaboration and fair competition with other partners and investors.

He said Vietnam is considering revisions to legal frameworks related to the power sector, he welcomed Novatek’s participation in developing LNG port infrastructure projects and LNG-fired power plants in Vietnam as well as its role in ensuring stable LNG supply for the Vietnamese market.

Founded in August 1994, Novatek specialises in the exploration, production, processing, and marketing of natural gas and liquid hydrocarbons. It is Russia’s second-largest natural gas producer after Gazprom and ranks among the world’s leading publicly traded gas companies by output. In the Forbes Global 2000 list in 2020, Novatek was ranked 316th.

France, Vietnam step up cooperation across multiple sectors

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Trinh Duc Hai visited Marseille and Bouches-du-Rhône from March 19 to 22 to strengthen links with the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region.

The visit, under the Vietnam-France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, focused on cooperation in the maritime economy, high technology, parliamentary ties, media and the Vietnamese community, with a view to concrete projects.

In meetings with local authorities, including the Prefect of Bouches-du-Rhône, representatives of the Departmental Council and the mayor of Marseille’s 11th-12th districts, the ambassador stressed the need to translate the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into specific cooperation programmes in line with the development needs of each side.

He also proposed stronger links between local research centers, businesses and innovation hubs and Vietnam’s technology ecosystem, particularly in artificial intelligence, semiconductor technology, energy and digital technology.

Decentralized cooperation remained a focus, with an orientation toward promoting twinning relations between Marseille and several Vietnamese localities, especially Hai Phong.

French counterparts said Marseille holds a strategic political and economic position, with its port system serving as a southern gateway to France and Europe.

As the international environment is undergoing many changes, they said the city faces challenges and has opportunities to strengthen its role in global value chains.

Jacques Witkowski, Prefect of Bouches-du-Rhône, said: “The potential for exchanges between the two sides is very strong, from maritime trade, with CMA CGM present, to key areas such as language, cultural, scientific and student exchanges. We need to better understand each other and further strengthen the bonds of friendship, making our ties stronger than geographical distance.”

The two sides also discussed priority areas including the maritime economy, logistics, port management, strategic infrastructure and urban transport, while highlighting potential in high-tech sectors, with the French side underscoring strengths in nuclear technology, according to VOV.

Jacques Witkowski, Prefect of Bouches-du-Rhône, highlights strong potential for exchanges between Vietnam and France.

In discussions with the Aix-Marseille-Provence Chamber of Commerce and Industry, both sides noted the existing foundation of economic cooperation and emphasized Marseille’s role as a strategic gateway for Vietnamese goods entering Europe.

At a meeting with Senator Jérémy Bacchi, both sides underlined the growing importance of parliamentary channels and locality-to-locality cooperation in deepening Vietnam-France relations. They also discussed promoting twinning ties between Marseille and Vietnamese localities as a practical way to enhance connections between territories. Ambassador Trinh Duc Hai called on the French side to continue supporting the early ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), contributing to a more favorable environment for bilateral investment.

For his part, Senator Jérémy Bacchi said the distinct historical link between Marseille and Vietnam provides a solid foundation for the future: “The history of the French and Vietnamese peoples has been closely connected for centuries. Marseille in particular, where I was born and now serve as a senator, was the first city to welcome President Ho Chi Minh to France in 1911. We are working to develop twinning projects between French and Vietnamese cities to strengthen cultural and economic exchanges.”

During the visit, the embassy delegation also visited the newsroom of La Marseillaise newspaper and met with representatives of Vietnamese associations and the Vietnamese community in Bouches-du-Rhône.

Prime Minister pays floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh in Russia

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his entourage paid floral tribute to Ho Chi Minh at his monument in Moscow on March 23, as part of his four-day official visit to Russia.

The move reflects his profound respect for President Ho Chi Minh, who laid the foundation for Viet Nam–Russia relations, and underscored Viet Nam's determination to further strengthen the long-standing friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

The Ho Chi Minh Monument, located in Ho Chi Minh Square, symbolizes enduring bilateral ties and serves as a cultural and community gathering site for Vietnamese people in Russia.

Earlier the same day, the Prime Minister also laid flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier near the Kremlin, paying tribute to Soviet soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the Great Patriotic War, highlighting the shared history and solidarity between the two nations.

On March 22, Prime Minister Pham met with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Russia. Currently, about 80,000 Vietnamese people are living in Russia, including more than 4,000 students, VGP reported.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

He praised the community's resilience, unity, and growing legal and social standing, as well as the embassy's efforts in protecting citizens and promoting bilateral ties, especially during the recent Russia–Ukraine conflict.

Pham said that the Viet Nam–Russia relations, established over more than 75 years, have been built on shared ideals, trust, and mutual support through historical challenges. He affirmed that the bond between the two peoples remains steadfast and must continue to be preserved and promoted.

He also appreciated the important contributions of Vietnamese students and professionals trained in Russia to Viet Nam's development, describing them as a bridge for future cooperation.

Notably, he said he would propose Russia to recognize the Vietnamese community as an ethnic minority group to further improve their legal status and living conditions.

Prime Minister Pham called for continued unity and patriotism among the Vietnamese community in Russia, encouraging them to contribute their intellect and efforts to national development while serving as a vital bridge to strengthen the increasingly substantive and effective relationship between the two countries.

Vietnam, Cambodia front organizations bolster cooperation

Talks and a signing ceremony for a cooperation agreement between the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and the National Council of the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodia Motherland (SFDCM) took place in Hanoi on the morning of March 23.

The event was co-chaired by Bui Thi Minh Hoai, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, and Men Sam An, Vice President of the Cambodian People’s Party, President of the SFDCM and President of the Cambodia–Vietnam Friendship Association.

Bui Thi Minh Hoai said she was pleased to welcome Men Sam An and the delegation of the Cambodian Front body on their working visit to Vietnam.

She described the visit as important, as the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia continue to develop across Party, State, National Assembly, Government and people-to-people channels.

She expressed confidence that the visit would further strengthen cooperation between the two Front organizations as a contribution to consolidating and deepening the good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term sustainability of ties between the two countries.

Congratulating Cambodia on its recent development achievements, the VFF leader said she believed that under the reign of King Norodom Sihamoni and the leadership of the Cambodian People’s Party, headed by President Hun Sen, Cambodia would continue to achieve greater and more comprehensive results, fulfil its set goals, further develop the country, improve people’s living standards and enhance its regional and international standing.

She noted that ties between the two Parties, the two countries and the two Front organizations have continued to be strengthened, adding that Party-to-Party cooperation plays a guiding and foundational role for broader cooperation across all fields.

Since the beginning of 2026, relations between the two Parties and the two countries have seen positive developments. In particular, the recent state visit to Cambodia, meetings between the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Standing Committee of the Cambodian People’s Party, as well as the meeting among the leaders of the three Parties of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, have contributed to strengthening political trust, consolidating strategic cooperation and setting directions for cooperation in the new period, while reinforcing solidarity among the three countries for peace, stability and development.

She affirmed that the Party, State and VFF leadership highly value the role of Men Sam An, noting that in whatever position she has held, she has made important contributions to reinforcing the friendship and solidarity between the peoples of the two countries. She expressed the hope that, with her deep affection for Vietnam and its people, Men Sam An would continue to contribute to boosting the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in general and between the two Front organizations in particular.

Men Sam An congratulated Vietnam on its remarkable achievements in recent years, particularly in restructuring and streamlining the organizational apparatus, and in strengthening and improving the effectiveness of the public administration system from the central to local levels.

She said that within the framework of their activities, the two Front organizations will continue to educate and inform people of both countries, especially younger generations, about their shared history and relationship, while promoting efforts to further consolidate and expand the increasingly strong friendship between the two countries for the benefit of their peoples, with a focus on connecting younger generations, linking generations and enhancing the role of leaders, cited VOV.

Talks between the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee and the National Council of the Solidarity Front for the Development of the Cambodian Motherland. (Photo: VNA)

In the warm and friendly atmosphere of the talks, Men Sam An expressed her wish that relations between the two countries would continue to grow across all areas through exchanges, working visits, delegation exchanges at all levels, sharing of experience and communication about exemplary figures of past generations to younger generations.

At the talks, both sides exchanged views and information on bilateral relations. They also discussed and reached broad agreement on the contents of the cooperation agreement for the 2026-2031 period, which will serve as a basis for implementing cooperation activities in 2026 and the following years.

Under the agreement, both sides reaffirmed their commitment to close cooperation to strengthen traditional friendship and good bilateral ties; raise public awareness, especially among younger generations, of the significance of the good neighborliness, traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and long-term stability between Vietnam and Cambodia; and preserve and forging these long-standing ties to ensure their sustainable development.

The two sides will exchange high-level delegations annually to share experience in Front work. Every two years, they will alternately organize international conferences or bilateral consultations on building a Vietnam-Cambodia border of peace, friendship, cooperation and development, with the participation of leaders and officials of central-level Front bodies and border provinces of both countries. They will also jointly organize thematic seminars on Front work, either online or in person, with the participation of officials at central, provincial and grassroots levels.

Both sides will encourage and guide local Front bodies, especially those in border areas, to augment cooperation and friendly exchanges, and mobilise people to build a peaceful, friendly, stable and cooperative border for development.

In 2027, marking the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (June 24, 1967-June 24, 2027), both sides will coordinate to organize activities in line with the orientations of the two Parties and States, as well as the two Front organizations.

They will also coordinate in collecting opinions and aspirations of the people regarding bilateral cooperation, particularly cooperation between the two Front organizations, to ensure quality and effectiveness, contributing to each country’s development in the context of regional and international integration. At the same time, they will coordinate in monitoring and accelerating the effective implementation of agreements, treaties and cooperation plans signed by the two governments.

Vietnamese travelers favor nearby overseas trips, unique experiences for April 30 holiday

Vietnamese travelers are increasingly opting for short-haul overseas trips and distinctive experiences for the upcoming Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day holiday, reflecting evolving travel preferences ahead of the 2026 summer peak season.

According to travel firms and online booking platforms, tourists are shifting away from conventional leisure holidays towards wellness-focused journeys, personalised experiences, and trips that strengthen connections with family and friends.

Notably, amid ongoing tensions in the Middle East affecting global aviation costs, travelers are prioritising destinations within a 2–4 hour direct flight radius while limiting transit routes. Popular choices include regional destinations such as Singapore, Japan, the Republic of Korea, China, Thailand, and Malaysia, alongside domestic beach and island tours.

Travel companies such as Vietravel and BestPrice Travel reported that bookings for the holiday period have been made earlier than usual—by three to four weeks—with their number rising between 15% and 40%. Early planning is becoming a common strategy among travelers to secure better prices and avoid sold-out flights and accommodation.

However, rising fuel costs linked to the geopolitical tensions have pushed up airfares and tour prices. Travel packages for the holiday are expected to increase by 15–25% compared to normal periods, with long-haul routes seeing particularly steep hikes.

Despite this, companies are striving to stabilise prices for pre-arranged “series tours”, which are pre-booked by businesses through contracts with partners and the prices are listed on the website, while customized group tours are priced based on real-time costs, said Bui Thanh Tu, Marketing Director of BestPrice Travel.

Industry representatives advise travelers to finalize bookings early, whether for short breaks or longer trips, to secure the best prices and preferred itineraries amid rising demand and limited availability, VNA reported.

Vietnamese travellers are increasingly opting for short-haul overseas trips and distinctive experiences for the upcoming Reunification Day (April 30) and May Day holiday. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Online platforms such as Agoda, Booking.com, and Traveloka noted growing demand for meaningful travel experiences, especially those centered on wellness and family bonding.

Among emerging trends, Japan’s “forest bathing” (Shinrin-yoku) is gaining popularity. This nature-based therapy encourages visitors to immerse themselves in forest environments to reduce stress and improve mental well-being. Destinations such as the Japanese Alps, the Kii Peninsula, and Yakushima Island are recommended for such experiences, according to experienced tour guide Nguyen Thanh Trung.

Meanwhile, cruise tourism is also attracting attention. Data from Traveloka shows increasing interest among Vietnamese travelers in high-end cruise journeys, including regional itineraries.

The launch of the Disney Adventure cruise by Disney Cruise Line in Southeast Asia in March 2026 is expected to boost “fly-cruise” packages, combining short-haul flights with luxury cruises. These products cater particularly to families seeking all-in-one holiday experiences, with integrated booking options and promotional offers enhancing their appeal.

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