Vietnam News Today (May 21): Vietnam Attends UN Commission on Crime Prevention and Criminal Justice's 34th Session
	Vietnam News Today (May 22): Stronger Vietnam-Israel Cooperation Expected in Science, Innovation and Labor

The 11th Nevsky International Ecological Congress (NIEC) takes place in St. Petersburg. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam attends 11th Nevsky International Ecological Congress in St. Petersburg

A delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) led by Vice Chairman Le Minh Hoan is attending the 11th Nevsky International Ecological Congress (NIEC) in St. Petersburg, at the invitation of Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation Valentina Matvienko.

The congress, being held on May 22-23 under the theme “Planet Earth: Living in Harmony with Nature,” features the participation of representatives from 76 nations and 17 international organizations.

In his opening remarks, First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Andrey Yatskin said that the NIEC’s main purpose is to promote the formation of effective mechanisms for sustainable development to preserve the environment in the context of climate change. The 2025 congress will once again become an essential forum for international and interdisciplinary dialogue on key issues on the environmental agenda.

The key event of the congress will be the plenary session “Ecology of the New Reality: Challenges and Opportunities,” which serves as an important forum for strategic discussions on global and national environmental challenges, as well as opportunities for green economic development and international cooperation, cited VNA.

Roundtable sessions and dialogues are expected to cover issues of food security and climate risks, sustainable ecotourism, and the use of artificial intelligence and digital solutions in the field of ecology. Other topics include international cooperation of the BRICS countries, the state of the Caspian region, the development of the closed-loop economy, the role of women in promoting environmental initiatives, green investments, and the use of underground land and low-carbon technologies.

Within the framework of the event, the Vietnamese delegation will engage in many bilateral activities, including a meeting with First Deputy Speaker of the Federation Council Andrey Yatskin. Delegation members will deliver speeches at discussion sessions, contributing ideas and solutions to issues of concern to the congress.

Vietnam likely to become high-income country if it fosters strategic drivers, says WB

Vietnam can fully realize its goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045, provided it stays committed to pursuing two strategic drivers - institutional reform and green development, according to the World Bank (WB).

This assessment was presented during the launch of two key reports Vietnam 2045 Breaking Through Institutions for a High-Income Future, and Vietnam 2045 Growing Greener - Pathways to A Resilient and Sustainable Future by the World Bank in Hanoi on May 22.

The reports outline Vietnam’s long-term development path amid global uncertainties and the need to shift its growth model.

In the first report, the World Bank recommended that Vietnam strengthen its legal framework and improve the efficiency of public investment to sustain high growth and reach its 2045 high-income target.

To maintain rapid economic growth, they said, Vietnam must consolidate its legal system and enhance the regulatory environment. Public investment must be managed more effectively, focusing on both scale and quality, from project selection to implementation and monitoring. International experiences show that countries which escape the middle-income trap and transition to high-income status consistently improve the quality of their institutions.

World Bank Country Director Mariam J. Sherman for Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, noted that Vietnam’s path toward becoming a high-income country by 2045 clearly demonstrates the critical role of institutions in sustaining long-term growth. While recent reforms signal a strong commitment, Vietnam must now pursue bolder, breakthrough institutional reforms to unlock the private sector’s full potential and create quality jobs for its people.

The report underscores that certain institutional reforms will be pivotal in shaping Vietnam’s next phase of development. In particular, better governance in public investment, through rigorous project appraisal, transparent implementation, and strong oversight, is essential to avoid inefficiencies and maximise returns.

According to the report, enhancing the legal and regulatory framework is seen as vital to creating a transparent, stable, and predictable business environment. Strengthening the legal framework will help foster a more transparent and predictable environment for investors and businesses. In addition, local governance must also improve, with increased autonomy for provinces and cities, greater accountability, and better coordination across jurisdictions.

To become a high-income country, Vietnam must build an efficient and accountable civil service to ensure legal due process, transparency, and independent oversight, the WB leadership stated.

Alongside institutional reform, the second report highlights that climate adaptation investment is key to minimising weather-related risks to Vietnam’s agriculture, businesses, and industrial infrastructure.

Stark projections show rising sea levels of 75 to 100 cm could flood nearly half of the Mekong Delta by mid-century. A 2024 WB survey finds that 75% of businesses in Vietnam’s major export sectors such as garments and electronics are operating in areas frequently exposed to extreme heat, putting 1.3 million workers in vulnerable conditions.

Without timely adaptation measures, climate change could cost Vietnam up to 12.5% of GDP by 2050, compared to baseline scenarios, and this therefore would pose a serious threat to Vietnam’s goal of becoming a high-income country by 2045.

In response to the growing threat of climate change, Sherman said, Vietnam must act now to safeguard land, communities, and infrastructure from climate-induced shocks, according to VOV.

Delegates attend the launch of the two World Bank reports in Hanoi on May 22. (Photo: World Bank)

She recommended that Vietnam begin implementing early adaptation measures, underlining the importance of creating supportive mechanisms and policies that encourage both businesses and citizens to actively respond to climate risks. Moreover, climate risk management should be mainstreamed across all sectors of the economy to ensure a resilient and sustainable development trajectory.

According to World Bank calculations, strategic adaptation investments could cut climate-induced GDP losses by nearly half, from 12.5% down to 6.7% by 2050.

Yet, the report also highlights viable opportunities for Vietnam to reduce carbon emissions, supporting the government’s net-zero emissions target by 2050. Indeed, the private sector will play a central role in driving the country’s green transition and realising its climate and development goals by 2045.

The report outlines concrete steps to accelerate energy transition, urging Vietnam to leverage increasingly cost-competitive renewable technologies to improve industrial energy efficiency. If implemented effectively, this transformation could spur innovation, sustainable growth, and job creation.

Vietnam has also been urged to tap into its marine economic potential as a pathway toward a greener, more climate-resilient future. With 30% of the population living along the country’s 3,260 km coastline, and nearly half of the population dependent on marine ecosystems for their livelihoods, sustainable ocean economy development is critical, it states.

The report also highlights the significant opportunity in offshore wind energy, with a potential capacity of up to 475 GW, along with wave energy, which are both key to reducing dependence on fossil fuels and cutting greenhouse gas emissions.

In addition, restoration of mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs is also described as essential, as these ecosystems strengthen coastal resilience and serve as natural carbon sinks, contributing significantly to both climate adaptation and emissions reduction goals.

Vietnam–France comprehensive strategic partnership opens new horizons for cooperation

The upgrade of Vietnam–France relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in October 2024 has laid a pivotal foundation for advancing stronger, deeper, and more effective ties between the two nations, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang.

Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron’s state visit to Vietnam, Ambassador Thang emphasized the historic significance of the upgrade, marking a major milestone in the over-50-year diplomatic relationship and 10 years since the two countries established a Strategic Partnership.

On the political and diplomatic front, the ambassador noted a marked increase in exchanges and tightened cooperation, including the launch of new dialogue mechanisms such as the inaugural dialogue on ocean and maritime issues between the two foreign ministries. Amid a rapidly evolving global landscape, the two nations are intensifying coordination on international issues of shared concern.

Ambassador Thang stressed that defense-security continues to serve as a strategic pillar of the partnership, reflecting the mutual trust between the two countries.

In terms of economic and trade cooperation, he highlighted growing interest from French businesses and institutions in Vietnam. The French Development Agency (AFD) is accelerating new projects related to clean energy and energy security. Several French business delegations and government officials have visited Vietnam to explore opportunities in major infrastructure and energy initiatives.

Bilateral trade in 2024 recorded an impressive 11% increase, reaching over 5.4 billion USD.

Healthcare collaboration is also emerging as a bright spot, with the recent partnership between Vietnam’s VNVC Vaccination Center and French pharmaceutical giant Sanofi on vaccine production following the elevation of bilateral ties.

Locality-to-locality cooperation continues to flourish, with preparations underway for the 13th Vietnam–France Decentralized Cooperation Conference, expected to be held in France in 2026.

Ambassador Thang reaffirmed the enduring role of the Vietnamese community in France, whose long-standing presence and commitment to the homeland form a crucial bridge in bilateral relations. The community’s success is a testament to the close Vietnam–France connection and a key driver in deepening the comprehensive strategic partnership.

He also highlighted the critical contributions of overseas Vietnamese intellectuals, particularly in strategic sectors such as clean energy, nuclear power, semiconductors, quantum science, advanced transportation, and biomedical research - the fields where Vietnam is in need.

Analysing favorable conditions for bilateral growth, Ambassador Thang outlined four key factors. First, the upgrade to a comprehensive strategic partnership itself has unlocked wider, deeper cooperation in strategic and priority sectors aligned with the interests and capacities of both countries.

Second, France and Vietnam share a converging outlook on many global challenges, from fostering common prosperity and sustainable development to climate action, non-traditional security, and promotion of multilateralism, peace, and international law, reported VNA.

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang (Photo: VNA)

Third, the two nations possess complementary strengths: France’s global competitiveness in high-tech, aerospace, healthcare, infrastructure, and pharmaceuticals, and Vietnam’s dynamic domestic market, young workforce, and global integration.

Lastly, long-standing historical and cultural ties, mutual understanding, and the dynamic Vietnamese communities in France remain foundational to bilateral engagement.

The ambassador outlined four key proposals to advance bilateral ties between Vietnam and France in the coming period. Emphasising the importance of mutual understanding, he called for enhanced exchanges at all levels and the effective maintenance of bilateral dialogue mechanisms across a wide range of sectors, including diplomacy, defense, security, economy, science, and technology.

According to the diplomat, both sides should prioritise cooperation in areas where they share complementary strengths and pressing needs, particularly in key sectors with high growth potential such as high technology, clean and nuclear energy, digital transformation, health care, education, and strategic infrastructure.

He also highlighted the need to fully leverage available institutional and policy support. This includes improving Vietnam’s investment and business environment, addressing persistent bottlenecks, and enabling France to facilitate Vietnam's access to crucial international financial and technological resources.

Thang further stressed the importance of mobilising all stakeholders within the multi-layered Vietnam-France relationship. Beyond government ministries and agencies, he pointed to the active engagement of business communities, industry associations, the Vietnamese diaspora, and various local-level authorities in France as essential to advancing cooperation dynamically and inclusively.

Regarding the upcoming state visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, the ambassador noted that it presents an excellent opportunity for the leaders of both nations to align on concrete next steps for implementing the frameworks outlined in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The signing of new cooperation agreements during the visit will serve as both a catalyst and a legal foundation for future collaboration in the years ahead, he added.

Hoi An tops Asia’s lantern festival list for year-end travel

Digital travel platform Agoda has shone a light on some of Asia’s most enchanting lantern festivals coming up in the remainder of the year, with the festival in Vietnam’s Hoi An Ancient City in top position.

Agoda reveals that the full-moon lantern festival in Hoi An transforms the historic riverside town into a mesmerizing landscape of color and light. Streets are illuminated with vibrant lanterns, while the Thu Bon River glows with hundreds of floating lights, creating a scene both magical and serene.

This monthly celebration, deeply rooted in local tradition, allows visitors to release lanterns and make wishes, offering a deeply personal and visually stunning experience. Agoda praises the event as a beautiful tribute to Vietnam’s cultural heritage and a must-visit for travelers seeking a blend of tranquility, tradition, and wonder, cited VOV.

Hoi An comes first among Asia’s most enchanting lantern festivals. (Photo courtesy of Agoda)

Rounding off the list are other standout lantern festivals across Asia, including Japan’s Nara Tokae & Obon in August, China’s Mid-Autumn Festival in October, Thailand’s Yi Peng & Loy Krathong in November, and the Philippines’ Giant Lantern Festival in December.

These festivals offer a calendar full of light-filled cultural experiences, making Asia a glowing destination through the end of the year.

First tropical storm may form in East Sea by mid-June

Meteorologists warn of possible storm development and increasing heat as Vietnam enters peak rainy season.

Tropical storms or depressions are likely to appear over the East Sea in the next month, according to the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting. Meanwhile, the North is expected to experience several spells of moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms, alongside intensifying heat.

In its latest monthly weather outlook (covering May 21 to June 20, 2025), the center forecasts that average nationwide temperatures will generally be near seasonal norms.

However, temperatures in the northwestern part of northern Vietnam may rise 0.5 to 1 degree Celsius above average.

Rainfall is expected to exceed the long-term average by 10-25% in the northern mountainous region, Central Highlands, and the southern region.

In contrast, central and south-central Vietnam will see 5-20% less rainfall than average. Other regions will see precipitation levels close to the seasonal norm.

Notably, a tropical cyclone - either a storm or a tropical depression - is forecast to form in the East Sea during this period, consistent with the average historical frequency (0.91 events).

This may mark the first named storm of the 2025 rainy season in the East Sea.

From now until June 20, heatwaves are likely to persist in northern and central regions, with increasing intensity expected from June onward, reported VNN.

A tropical storm or depression may develop over the East Sea within the next month. Illustration: Le Duong

Additionally, several rounds of moderate to heavy rain and thunderstorms are expected across the North. The southwest monsoon will continue to bring scattered showers and storms to the Central Highlands and southern Vietnam.

Looking further ahead, from June to August 2025, ENSO (El Niño-Southern Oscillation) is expected to remain in a neutral state with a probability of 70-90%.

During this period, the number of storms or tropical depressions in the East Sea and their impact on Vietnam is predicted to be near the long-term average (approximately 5.2 events in the East Sea, with 2 making landfall).

From September to November, ENSO is forecast to remain neutral with a 55-65% probability. During these months, storm activity in the East Sea is expected to align with historical averages (around 5.9 events, with 2.9 making landfall).

The meteorological agency warns of potential hazardous weather events nationwide, including thunderstorms, lightning, hail, whirlwinds, and strong gusts.

Tropical systems and the southwest monsoon may generate strong winds and high waves, affecting marine activities.

Heatwaves, heavy rainfall, and storm-related phenomena could also negatively impact agricultural production and public health.

As heat intensifies, there is increased risk of drought, water shortages, and fire hazards in northern and central Vietnam.

Authorities also urge heightened preparedness for flooding and landslides in low-lying and mountainous areas due to potential heavy rainfall.

Vietnam News Today (May 19): Norway Hails Vietnam’s Continued Emphasis on Upholding International Law Vietnam News Today (May 19): Vietnam, Austria promote cooperation in high technology, innovation; Norway hails Vietnam’s continued emphasis on upholding international law; Vietnam explores agricultural ...

Vietnam News Today (May 20): Hanoi Named Top Cultural, Artistic Destination in Asia Vietnam News Today (May 20): President Ho Chi Minh’s legacy remains ever-present in Argentina; Vietnam targets stronger presence in US$2 trillion Halal market; Top leaders ...