Vietnam News Today (May 15): Vietnam Looks for Stronger Cooperation with RoK in New Era

	Vietnam News Today (May 13): Vietnam Maintains High Human Development Index Despite Global Slowdown
	Vietnam News Today (May 14): US Businesses Affirm Long-Term Commitment to Vietnam

Korean and Vietnamese enterprises sign memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on investment cooperation within the framework of the event "Meet Korea 2025" in Hung Yen province on May 14. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam looks for stronger cooperation with RoK in new era: Official

The Vietnamese Government pledged to create an open and transparent investment environment, accelerate administrative reforms, promote smart governance, streamline the state apparatus, and reduce intermediaries to make it easier for foreign enterprises, including those from the Republic of Korea (RoK), to invest and do stable and long-term business in Vietnam.

The statement was made by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son when addressing the event "Meet Korea 2025"co-hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of the RoK in Vietnam in the northern province of Hung Yen on May 14.

Son emphasised the significance of the event, saying that it coincides with the 10th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam–Korea Free Trade Agreement (VKFTA) and a decade of the "Meet Korea in Vietnam" initiative.

He also highlighted the remarkable progress in the bilateral relations—from a comprehensive partnership in 2001 to a strategic partnership in 2009, and a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2022, calling this a clear testament to the close ties, mutual trust, and effective cooperation between the two countries despite regional and global uncertainties.

The Vietnam–RoK relations have made exceptional and comprehensive strides across areas of cooperation. The two countries have become top partners in many fields, he stressed. The RoK currently ranks first in FDI in Vietnam, with 10,128 projects and a total registered capital of over 92 billion USD; second in official development assistance (ODA), labor, and tourism; and third in trade cooperation. Meanwhile, Vietnam is the RoK's largest economic partner in ASEAN, accounting for 30% of the RoK's investment and 50% of its total trade turnover with ASEAN. The two countries are aiming to increase their bilateral trade turnover to 100 billion USD by 2025 and 150 billion USD by 2030, in a balanced and sustainable manner.

Vietnam faces significant challenges in terms of financial resources, technology, and human resources, Son said, noting that comprehensive cooperation and strong investment from international partners, including the RoK, based on mutual benefit and shared prosperity, are key for the Southeast Asian nation to overcome these obstacles, cited VNA.

He stated that the Vietnamese Government highly values the operations and contributions of Korean enterprises in Vietnam, particularly their strong shift from basic processing to hi-tech industries; energy, finance and banking projects; and high-quality services. He added that the participation and support of Korean partners are regarded as key factors contributing to Vietnam’s industrialization and modernization.

Son affirmed that Government agencies, especially the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, will continue to accompany localities and businesses on the path toward sustainable development.

For his part, RoK Ambassador to Vietnam Choi Youngsam praised Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to streamline its administrative apparatus at the provincial level, calling it an important step in preparation for breakthroughs in the new era.

The diplomat expressed hope that Vietnamese localities will continue to support and offer preferential policies for Korean businesses. He also affirmed his commitment to serving as a bridge for Korean enterprises to invest in Vietnam.

Delegates discussed measures to further step up the bilateral trade and investment, as well as strengthen cooperation in developing hi-tech industries.

Secretary of the Hung Yen provincial Party Committee Nguyen Huu Nghia stressed that Korean businesses and investors have become the province’s big and reliable partners, making significant contributions to the locality’s economic development, state budget revenue and job creation, and improving locals' incomes.

In 2024, the total import-export turnover between Hung Yen and the RoK reached 1.94 billion USD, accounting for 14.45% of the province’s total trade turnover. Hung Yen currently hosts 162 Korean projects worth 1.46 billion USD.

Han Jongdeok, General Director of VTK Hung Yen Industrial Park Investment and Development Company Limited, stated that Hung Yen, with its favorable location, well-developed transportation infrastructure, abundant workforce, and especially the strong support from the local authorities for businesses, has become an attractive destination for investors.

Within the framework of the event, representatives of Korean businesses presented scholarships to students of Hung Yen. Additionally, Korean and Vietnamese enterprises signed memoranda of understanding (MOUs) on investment cooperation.

Webinar promotes Vietnam – Senegal business connectivity

The Vietnam Trade Office in Algeria, concurrently accredited to Senegal, organized a virtual trade exchange on May 14, aiming to increase business connectivity between Vietnam and Senegal.

Speaking at the event, Hoang Duc Nhuan, commercial counselor of the Vietnam Trade Office in Algeria cum Senegal, noted that Senegal, a West African country with a stable political environment and open trade policies, holds strategic importance thanks to Dakar Port, a key transshipment hub for landlocked countries in the subregion.

Senegal imports 800,000 to 1 million tonnes of rice annually, over 90% of which is broken rice. It is also a supplier of important raw materials such as raw cashew nuts, cotton, animal feed, and seafood.

He cited Vietnam Customs data, saying two-way trade between Vietnam and Senegal reached US$134 million in 2023, with Vietnam exporting US$38 million worth of goods, primarily agricultural products and foodstuffs such as pepper, rice, fruits, and textiles.

In 2024, Vietnam’s exports to Senegal climbed to US$43.91 million, up 16.1% from the previous year. Key exports included pepper, fruits and vegetables, confectionery and cereal-based products, rice, and seafood

Notably, in the first four months of 2025, Vietnam's exports to Senegal already hit US$43.43 million, nearly equaling the total of the previous year.

Nhuan revealed that both sides have signed several cooperation agreements, including a framework agreement on economic, trade, cultural, and scientific-technical cooperation. In addition, the chambers of commerce of both countries signed a cooperation agreement in 2012.

To further strengthen trade ties, the counselor recommended increasing delegation exchanges between businesses from both countries to share information related to business, market and investment opportunities, according to VOV.

Seafood is one of Vietnam's major export items to Senegal. (Illustration)

The two business communities should engage in international trade fairs such as Vietnam Expo, Vietnam Foodexpo, and Vietnam International Sourcing in Vietnam, and Dakar International Fair in Senegal, he said.

In addition, he said, both sides further organize online trade conferences, business forums, and B2B webinars, alongside collaborating on partner verification, providing market intelligence, and supporting the resolution of trade disputes.

At the webinar, businesses from both countries expressed a strong desire for mutually beneficial cooperation. Representatives from Vietnamese businesses such as Hanoi Trade Corporation, Vietnam Tea Corporation, and Southern Star Agricultural Products Company expressed their desire to seek Senegalese partners for importing farm products, including rice, tea and other organic products.

Meanwhile, Senegalese businesses showed diverse import needs for food, school supplies and equipment, office tools and construction materials, among others. Some Senegalese firms also expressed a desire to find long-term Vietnamese partners to act as intermediaries in both import and export activities.

New Vietnam-China int'l road transport route opens

Convoys carrying electronic components, fresh vegetables, and daily necessities departed simultaneously from Nanning in south China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region and Kunming in southwest China's Yunnan province on May 14 morning, heading for Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam.

The convoys will traverse through Hekou border gate in Yunnan province and Youyi Guan border gate in Guangxi before entering Vietnam.

This marks the first time that Chinese freight vehicles operating under the Greater Mekong Sub-region Cross-border Transport Facilitation Agreement (CBTA) will reach Vietnam's inland regions directly via the newly opened route, reported VNA.

Trucks carry imported/exported goods at Huu Nghi border gate in the northern province of Lang Son. (Photo: VNA)

The route represents a significant enhancement in facilitating international road transport between China and Vietnam, resulting in a notable improvement in transportation efficiency.

Compared with previous routes, the new corridor saves each truck approximately one day in transport time and reduces costs up to 1,000 CNY (over 138 USD).

Vietnamese Film Week 2025 opens in Greece

The Vietnamese Film Week 2025 kicked off in Athens, Greece, on May 12 evening, marking a significant milestone in cultural diplomacy between the two countries.

The opening ceremony drew the participation of officials from the Greek Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the External Relations Committee of the Communist Party of Greece, ambassadors, diplomatic representatives, Greek friends, and Vietnamese expatriates.

Organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Greece, the event is to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam–Greece diplomatic relations, the 50th anniversary of the liberation of Southern Vietnam and national reunification, and the 135th birthday of President Ho Chi Minh, cited VOV.

Don't Burn - a feature film about the war in Vietnam.

It is being held in coordination with the Vietnam Film Institute under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Hanoi Radio and Television, and Greek partners including New Star Art Cinema and Cine Vakoura.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Greece Pham Thi Thu Huong noted this is the first time Vietnam has organized a film week in Greece, introducing nine feature and documentary films to Greek audiences.

Several of the films that highlight Vietnam’s history, culture, landscape, and people have won national and international awards, she added.

A special screening will be held on May 19 to honour President Ho Chi Minh’s birthday, featuring the documentary Ho Chi Minh: A Journey of Culture and Peace. Another highlight is The Peace Train, a new documentary produced in April 2025 by Hanoi Radio and Television that depicts the image of a group of young people retracing historical paths, connecting past and present through their journey aboard a symbolic train of peace.

The feature film Don’t Burn, with Greek and English subtitles, was selected for the opening night and received an emotional response from the audience.

The Vietnamese Film Week aims to provide Greek and international audiences with deeper insights into Vietnamese cinema which is known for its cultural richness, contemporary relevance, and humanistic values.

Screenings will continue from May 12 to 20 in Athens and Thessaloniki, with additional showings planned in other Greek cities throughout 2025.

Vietnam faces highly unpredictable storm season in 2025

Although powerful storms like Yagi are unlikely this year, the 2025 rainy and storm season in Vietnam is expected to be highly unpredictable in terms of intensity and trajectory. Localized downpours, flash floods, and landslides remain a significant nationwide risk.

According to Hoang Phuc Lam, Deputy Director of the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, the rainy season is already showing signs of abnormality.

In May, heavy rainfall is expected particularly in the southern region. Total rainfall in the northern mountainous areas, Central Highlands, and southern Vietnam is forecast to be 5–25% higher than the long-term average. In contrast, Central and South-Central regions may see rainfall 5–20% below average.

“This transitional period may bring thunderstorms with large rainfall volumes, along with dangerous weather phenomena such as whirlwinds, lightning, hail, and strong gusts,” Lam emphasized.

While a storm may form over the East Sea in May, Lam said the likelihood of it affecting Vietnam’s mainland remains low.

Heavy rains hit southern and Central Highlands regions

Referring to the intense rain on May 10, Lam reported over 100 mm of rainfall across Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, Long An, and Dong Nai. Cu Chi (HCMC) recorded 230 mm between 4 a.m. and 10 a.m., causing severe urban flooding.

Lam explained that southern provinces and the Central Highlands are gradually entering the rainy season. Early-season rains tend to be intense due to the transition from dry heat to moist conditions. High air temperatures, combined with southwest winds carrying moisture, interact with the urban heat island effect - caused by concrete structures and traffic - resulting in strong atmospheric convection.

These types of thunderstorms can occur not only in the south and Central Highlands but across the entire country during the seasonal transition, VNN reported.

Heavy rainfall on May 10 caused severe flooding across Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Nguyen Hue

From May to July, rainfall in these areas is expected to match or exceed the annual average by 10–20%. From August to October, this figure may remain 10–15% higher. The rainy season in these regions is forecast to end later than usual.

Lam added that the heavy rain on May 10 had been forecast in advance. Warnings of increased thunderstorm activity in the Central Highlands and southern regions were issued on May 9. Despite this, he acknowledged that forecasting extreme weather events - especially heavy rain - remains a global challenge, not just for Vietnam.

Lower risk of super typhoons like Yagi

Lam stated that the number of storms and tropical depressions in the East Sea is expected to be close to the annual average, which ranges from 11–13 storms, with about 5–6 making landfall. Most are expected between July and September in the north, and from October to November in the central and southern regions.

Importantly, the ENSO (El Niño–Southern Oscillation) is currently in a neutral phase, reducing the likelihood of intense, back-to-back storms as seen during La Niña years.

Widespread heavy rainfall events are likely to begin in June in the north and gradually shift southward, ending around December in the central provinces.

While major typhoons like Yagi may not appear this year, localized heavy rains still pose a high risk of flooding and landslides nationwide - especially in northern mountainous areas or low-lying regions.

“While a major storm like Yagi is unlikely, we must remain vigilant against storms with strong intensity and complex paths,” Lam warned.

Storm paths and intensity harder to predict

The 2025 typhoon season may not feature dramatic extremes seen in strong ENSO years, but its unpredictability will be higher. The current neutral ENSO phase may result in storm behavior that is harder to forecast, with diverse formation points and more erratic trajectories.

Lam explained that storm activity is not strongly dictated by ENSO during neutral years, unlike El Niño (fewer storms affecting Vietnam) or La Niña (more direct impacts). This results in no clear “scenario,” increasing forecasting challenges.

“This means storms may form in varied regions and move along complex tracks, as large-scale weather patterns linked to ENSO have less influence,” Lam said.

Consequently, typhoons in 2025 could appear sporadically throughout the season rather than peaking in a specific period, as seen in strong El Niño or La Niña years.

Lam stressed that these forecasts are based on climate patterns and initial conditions. Current forecasting models are generally only reliable within a one-week time frame. The center will continue to monitor and update advisories as soon as tropical systems begin to form.

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