| Vietnam News Today (Mar. 31) notable headlines Can Tho seeks to expand investment cooperation with Indian partners Vietnam makes strong cultural mark at Macau International Parade 2026 Vietnam pushes ahead with carbon credit market Son Doong cave featured on US television program “60 Minutes” Poetry night in Prague strengthens bonds within Vietnamese community Coral Princess brings 1,800 international visitors to Khanh Hoa First-ever Francophone comics festival bound for HCM City in April Hanoi tourism surges in Q1 2026 with nearly 2.4 million foreign visitors HCM City Buddhism prepares for first congress with key milestones |
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| Indian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Vipra Pandey (left) presents a gift to Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho Nguyen Van Khoi at the meeting on March 30. (Photo: VNA) |
Can Tho seeks to expand investment cooperation with Indian partners
Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Can Tho Nguyen Van Khoi has affirmed the city's commitment to creating a transparent and favorable investment environment and providing support for Indian enterprises exploring and implementing projects in the locality.
Relevant agencies will be assigned as focal points to facilitate business connections and investment procedures, Khoi told a delegation led by Vipra Pandey, Consul General of India in Ho Chi Minh City, during their working session in Mekong Delta city on March 30.
During the meeting, Pandey introduced India’s ITEC (Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation) program, which covers a wide range of fields such as digital transformation, industrial and public administration, logistics, renewable energy, agriculture, and information technology. The program, which includes scholarships, is set to begin on April 1, and Can Tho was encouraged to nominate suitable candidates.
He noted that in recent months, many Indian enterprises have sought investment opportunities in Vietnam, particularly in technology, food processing, machinery, and the application of artificial intelligence in agriculture, via the Indian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City. Several business delegations from India are expected to visit Ho Chi Minh City in the coming months, with plans to connect them to Can Tho for further exploration of local opportunities, cited VNA.
For his part, Khoi highlighted that Can Tho currently has nine operational industrial parks covering more than 3,000 hectares, with plans to expand its industrial land fund and offer attractive incentives to investors.
The city has so far attracted four Indian-invested projects with total registered capital of nearly 3 million USD. Though modest in scale, these projects are seen as a foundation for broader cooperation in priority sectors such as processing industries, renewable energy, logistics, high-tech agriculture, and digital technology.
Beyond investment, Can Tho has also benefited from India’s support in building rural transport bridges worth about 50,000 USD. The city is home to nearly 600 Indian citizens and students, while educational exchanges and scholarship programs have contributed to strengthening people-to-people ties and fostering mutual understanding between the two countries.
Vietnam makes strong cultural mark at Macau International Parade 2026
Vietnam delivered a vibrant showcase of culture and heritage at the 2026 Macau International Parade, captivating international audiences with traditional costumes and dynamic performances presented by the Vietnamese Overseas Association in Macau (China).
Held on March 29, the annual cultural celebration gathered about 1,600 professional and amateur performers from 50 local groups and 10 international delegations under the theme “Maritime Silk Road as a bridge for cultural exchange.” In addition to participants from Macau, Hong Kong (China) and mainland China, the parade featured cultural troupes from Portugal, the Netherlands, France, Türkiye, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Duong Trung Duc, President of the Vietnamese Overseas Association in Macau, said that while Vietnam has joined the event for three consecutive years, this was the first time the Vietnamese delegation was selected among the opening groups to lead the parade procession. The recognition, he said, reflected the host authorities’ appreciation of Vietnam’s growing contribution to international cultural exchanges. The event also provided an opportunity for the Vietnamese community in Macau to strengthen cultural connectivity and mutual understanding, helping foster cooperation in trade, tourism and economic ties, according to VNA.
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| A performance by the Vietnamese delegation at the 2026 Macau International Parade (Photo: VNA) |
According to Luu Thi Diep, Head of the association’s Performing Arts Division, the Vietnamese delegation comprised around 50 performers dressed in traditional attire representing the country’s northern, central and southern regions. Their performance, “Spring Festival Drum,” blended music, choreography and visual elements to convey wishes for prosperity and favourable weather, presenting a lively image of Vietnamese culture to global audiences.
Smile Io, a community cultural communications specialist in Macau, said Vietnam’s performances have consistently stood out at the event, highlighting not only distinctive costumes but also traditional music and dance that strengthen cultural exchange and deepen mutual understanding between Vietnam, Macau residents and international visitors.
Vietnam pushes ahead with carbon credit market
The 14th National Party Congress has clearly set out the country’s development vision for the new period, with a consistent emphasis on rapid yet sustainable growth. This is to be achieved by driving breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, digital transformation, and by reshaping the growth model towards green, circular, and environmentally friendly directions.
The 14th National Party Congress underscored that economic development must be inseparable from environmental protection, efficient resource use, and proactive climate change response, while capitalizing on new opportunities arising from the global green transition to generate momentum for the economy.
In line with this spirit, accelerating green transformation, energy transition, and establishing market mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions is not only an external obligation but also an intrinsic necessity of the development process. Among these, the creation and operation of a carbon credit market – beginning with a domestic carbon credit exchange – carries particular importance.
According to Tran Van Tung, Head of Forest Management and Development at the Vietnam Forestry Corporation, green and energy transformation must be pursued decisively and systematically, tied to energy security, environmental security, and economic competitiveness. He emphasized the need to foster a circular economy and efficient resource use; encourage enterprises to innovate technology and raise standards; and proactively adapt to new global trade and investment requirements.
The early establishment of a domestic carbon credit market will help Vietnamese enterprises strengthen competitiveness, harness new-generation free trade agreements, and mitigate risks from external green trade defense measures, NDO reported.
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| Forest canopies in Thanh Binh Commune, Da Nang City. (Photo: Tung Lam) |
He argued that this is a modern economic instrument aligned with global emission management trends, contributing to Vietnam’s fulfilment of international commitments on greenhouse gas reduction and advancing towards carbon neutrality.
The Government’s issuance of Decree No. 29/2026/ND-CP on the domestic carbon exchange marks a specific and timely step in institutionalising the Party’s major policies adopted at the 14th National Party Congress. The Congress highlighted the imperative of proactively adapting to new global trade and investment standards.
Tung noted that as many countries, particularly major markets such as the European Union, introduce carbon taxes and environment-related technical barriers, the early establishment of a domestic carbon credit market will help Vietnamese enterprises strengthen competitiveness, harness new-generation free trade agreements, and mitigate risks from external green trade defense measures.
Vietnam is recognized as having significant potential in forest carbon. The country’s total forest area stands at approximately 14.87 million hectares, with a national forest coverage rate of around 42% and annual carbon absorption estimated at nearly 70 million tonnes of CO2. Forest carbon credits represent a vital value of the forest ecosystem and a new resource for sustainable development.
Effective utilization of this potential not only supports forest protection and development but also generates additional financial resources for nature conservation, livelihoods for forest-dependent communities – particularly in remote and disadvantaged areas – while advancing Vietnam’s sustainable development goals.
At the 14th National Party Congress, Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that opportunities only truly become drivers of development when resolutions are organised and implemented systematically, synchronously, and decisively.
According to Tran Van Tung, given Vietnam’s potential, developing the carbon credit market, especially forest carbon credits, requires continued refinement of the legal framework, the establishment of measurement, reporting, and verification systems to international standards, and capacity-building for management officials, enterprises, and market participants. Without thorough preparation and strong determination, these advantages could easily be lost amid intensifying international competition.
Effective implementation of the 14th National Party Congress Resolution on green transformation and the green economy is the shared responsibility of the entire political system, the business community, and society, cited NDO.
International experience shows that following recent United Nations Climate Change Conferences, particularly with unified global carbon credit standards under UN auspices, the carbon market has entered a new phase of development characterized by fierce competition and increasingly stringent transparency requirements. In this context, any delay could leave latecomer countries paying a heavy price.
Effective implementation of the 14th National Party Congress Resolution on green transformation and the green economy is the shared responsibility of the entire political system, the business community, and society.
Success in these tasks will not only drive green growth and sustainable development but also serve as a vivid demonstration of the Party’s organizational capacity in the new period, clearly reflecting the spirit of innovation, decisive action, and the aspiration to build a prosperous, sustainable nation as set forth by the Congress.
Son Doong cave featured on US television program “60 Minutes”
A special program on Son Doong Cave, the world’s largest cave, aired on 60 Minutes at 7:00 p.m. on March 29 U.S. time, equivalent to around 7:00 a.m. on March 30 in Vietnam, the Quang Tri Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism said.
According to CBS, the Son Doong segment is one of the most notable reports ever aired on the network. It premiered during the program’s Sunday evening slot on the US East Coast.
The report takes viewers to Vietnam, following a journey through Son Doong cave. “60 Minutes” is a leading global current affairs and investigative program with global reach, drawing more than 8 million regular viewers and generating hundreds of millions of views across platforms, particularly in North America.
Each broadcast typically generates wide impact across media, academic circles and public awareness.
The segment retraces the discovery of Son Doong and years of expeditions by the British Cave Research Association, from early surveys to in-depth scientific studies.
It offers a rare chance for the story of Son Doong to be told in full, through scientific, historical and human perspectives, to a global audience, VOV reported.
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| Son Doong Cave (Photo: Oxalis) |
The “60 Minutes” crew filmed the report from January 14 to 17, 2026, with support from Oxalis Adventure. The nine-member team included producer Nicole Young, Jonathan Partridge, correspondent Scott Cameron Pelley, along with CBS camera and lighting crews and photographer Ryan Deboodt.
The Quang Tri Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism described CBS’s selection of Son Doong as a media event of particular importance for local tourism and for the World Natural Heritage site of Phong Nha-Ke Bang National Park.
With its global reach and a steady audience of millions per episode, the report is expected to support tourism promotion in 2026 and reinforce Son Doong’s standing as a leading symbol of adventure and nature exploration worldwide.
Alongside destination visibility, the report also provides a professional body of media material with strong scientific grounding and credibility on the heritage site. Through a rigorous journalistic approach, it helps raise international awareness of the area’s geological, ecological and conservation values, while shaping its image toward responsible and sustainable tourism.
Following the broadcast, the Quang Tri Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism is working with partners to roll out a communications campaign across multiple markets to further position the area as a leading hub for adventure tourism in Asia and a leading destination in Vietnam.
Poetry night in Prague strengthens bonds within Vietnamese community
A poetry and music night was held at the Sapa Trade Center in Prague, the Czech Republic, on March 29, drawing a large number of Vietnamese expatriates along with professional and amateur artists and poets.
Organised by the Union of Vietnamese Associations in the Czech Republic, the event served as a cultural bridge connecting members of the Vietnamese community through shared language, music and heritage.
According to the organizers, the program was designed to preserve and promote Vietnamese cultural and historical values among overseas Vietnamese. Despite geographical distance, the Vietnamese language and traditional melodies continue to bind expatriates to their homeland.
For the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, cultural activities are not only about preserving traditions but also serve as a source of spiritual strength, fostering solidarity and supporting community development, reported VOV.
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| A performance during the poetry and music program in Prague, Czech Republic, on March 29. |
Giang Thanh, Standing Vice Chairman of the Union of Vietnamese Associations in the Czech Republic, said the event marked one of the largest cultural gatherings of its kind, attracting participation from multiple generations.
“Hundreds of poems were submitted to the organizing committee. Each poem reflects the thoughts, emotions and life experiences of our community, contributing to stronger bonds among overseas Vietnamese,” he said.
The art program created a vibrant cultural space where verses and melodies resonated with shared love for the homeland. It also offered an opportunity for poetry lovers to express their emotions, experiences and connections to Vietnamese identity while living abroad.
Through the event, the organizers hoped to foster a sense of warmth, deepen cultural appreciation and strengthen national pride among participants.
A representative of the Vietnamese Embassy in the Czech Republic praised the initiative, noting that such events not only bring audiences closer through artistic expression but also help strengthen community cohesion.
The embassy expressed its commitment to continuing support for similar cultural activities in cooperation with Vietnamese associations, aiming to expand platforms that promote positive values and preserve Vietnam’s rich cultural identity within the overseas community.
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