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Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien (right) shakes hands with US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. (Photo: moit.gov.vn)

Vietnam, US hold ministerial-level talks on reciprocal trade agreement

Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien and US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer held the eighth ministerial-level negotiation on a reciprocal trade agreement between the two countries in Washington D.C, on November 10, ahead of technical discussions scheduled for November 12–14.

In an open, frank and constructive atmosphere, the two officials exchanged and determined directions for handling major remaining issues, and spent time discussing bilateral trade relations.

Greer praised progress made so far, including the two sides’ adoption of the Joint Statement on a Framework for an Agreement on Reciprocal, Fair, and Balanced Trade, calling it an important step towards completing the negotiations. He also commended Vietnam’s systematic and pragmatic approach in addressing the US's proposals and acknowledged the constructive spirit of the Vietnamese delegation.

For his part, Dien reaffirmed Vietnam’s determination to build a balanced and sustainable trade relationship with the US. He said finalizing the reciprocal trade pact would help reinforce bilateral cooperation beyond trade, in line with the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, cited VNA.

Dien mentioned measures Vietnam has taken to boost bilateral trade and proposed several steps to accelerate the negotiation process. He also urged both sides to maintain a flexible and practical approach for the practical interests of both sides.

Greer welcomed the proposals and asked the US technical team to study them further for follow-up discussions with Vietnam.

Both sides agreed that the ministerial session was a key milestone in dealing with the pending issues so as to soon finalize an agreement on reciprocal trade that would deliver tangible benefits for both countries.

Vietnam, China strengthen cooperation in border management

Representatives from the Border Guard Command of Vietnam's northern province of Dien Bien and the Pu’er border management unit of China’ Mengkang immigration inspection station held their annual talks in Dien Bien on November 11.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Colonel Phan Van Hoa, Commander of the Dien Bien Border Guard, while the Chinese side was headed by Political Commissar Yang Chunlin of the Pu’er border management unit.

The talks took place in an open, friendly, and cooperative atmosphere, with both sides praising the progress achieved since their 12th meeting in 2024.

They noted that under the leadership of the two Parties and States, cooperation in managing and protecting the shared border and border gates has reaped positive results, contributing to political security and social order in border areas.

The two sides exchange the minutes of the talks (Photo: VNA)

The two sides reviewed cooperation in joint border patrols and inspections; combat against transnational crimes such as illegal crossings, human trafficking, drug smuggling, and online fraud; information sharing via meetings, official correspondence, and hotlines; and the handover of individuals involved in illegal border crossings. They also discussed efforts to promote the opening of the A Pa Chai (Vietnam) – Longfu (China) border gate pair and organise friendship exchanges.

The two sides agreed to further enhance cooperation in the time ahead, focusing on fully implementing the three legal documents on the Vietnam – China land border; stepping up joint patrols and legal education for border residents; intensifying efforts to prevent cross-border crimes; and improving the verification and repatriation of illegal border crossers, with the goal of responding within seven working days, according to VNA.

They also pledged to expediting coordination with local authorities to finalize procedures and infrastructure for the official opening of the A Pa Chai – Longfu border gates, expected to boost socio-economic development in the border area. Both sides will maintain and diversify information exchanges and friendship activities between grassroots units and local communities along the shared border.

The two delegations also agreed to continue organizing cultural and sports exchanges, political and young officer exchanges, as well as the twinning initiative.

They will further promote the village and township twinning programme and cross-border people-to-people exchanges suited to local conditions, thereby contributing to peace, friendship, stability, and sustainable development along the Vietnam – China border.

Vietnam, India launch 2025 UN peacekeeping bilateral exercise

The 2025 Vietnam-India Bilateral Army Exercise (VINBAX 2025) opened at the National Military Training Center 4 on November 11 in Hanoi, jointly organized by the defense ministries of both countries.

VINBAX 2025 is designed to enhance professional skills, operational coordination, and field exercise capabilities of engineering, medical, and search-and-rescue units, while strengthening defence cooperation between Vietnam and India.

In his opening remarks, Lieutenant General Phung Si Tan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Head of Vietnam’s UN Peacekeeping Steering Committee highlighted the continuous development of bilateral defense ties, exemplified by activities such as the 2025 Vietnam-India Defense Policy Dialogue.

He urged all participating personnel to strictly follow security and safety regulations and to engage in the exercise with the highest sense of responsibility, VOV reported.

Disaster relief equipment dropped from aircraft during VINBAX 2024 exercise (Photo: VNA)

Indian Defense Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh affirmed that VINBAX serves as a key symbol of bilateral defence cooperation, showing the shared commitment of both nations to peace, stability, and regional cooperation. He added that this year’s exercise provides an opportunity for the armed forces of both countries to train and exchange practical experience in humanitarian and peacekeeping operations.

According to Major General Pham Manh Thang, Head of the Exercise Steering Committee, VINBAX 2025 involves nearly 300 personnel and will run for 18 days, from November 11 to 27. The program integrates theoretical training on UN peacekeeping operations, specialized knowledge, and the roles of engineering and medical units, alongside practical exercises including reconnaissance, construction and maintenance of infrastructure, mass casualty triage and emergency treatment, humanitarian support, and operation of unmanned aerial vehicles.

The training culminates in integrated field exercises where military observers, engineering, medical, and search-and-rescue units coordinate to handle simulated scenarios under realistic mission conditions.

In addition to professional activities, VINBAX 2025 features ceremonial events, cultural and sports exchanges, and site visits to foster understanding, camaraderie, and friendship among participants.

UOB upgrades GDP growth forecast for Vietnam to 7.7%

Singapore’s United Overseas Bank (UOB) has raised its 2025 GDP growth forecast for Vietnam to 7.7% from 7.5%, according to the bank’s Quarterly 4Q 2025 Global Outlook report.

The report outlined that Vietnam’s real GDP surged by 8.23% year-on-year in 3Q25, supported by strong exports performance and production despite US tariff.

This is a further extension of the 8.19% pace in 2Q25 (revised higher from earlier estimate of 7.96%), and well ahead of Bloomberg projection of 7.2% and the UOB’s forecast of 7.6%. In the first nine months of 2025, Vietnam’s economy expanded 7.85% year-on-year.

Vietnam’s outsized performance in the Jan-Sep period was largely driven by exports which surged 16% year-on-year with exports to the US registering a rise of 27.7%, amid a backdrop of tariff rates being imposed. Manufacturing production saw broad-based increase in the same period, increasing 10.8% year-on-year in Jan-Sep, a faster pace compared to the 9.4% rise in the same period of 2024.

Vietnam’s economic performance so far in 2025 has been much stronger than expected, despite US tariff threats. With an expansion of 7.85% year-on-year achieved in 1Q-3Q 2025, outlook remains positive for 2025.

Photo: VOV

With a high base in 4Q 2024, experts anticipate the final quarter would be a challenge given a backdrop of tariffs and trade frictions. As such, they are keeping their 4Q25 growth projection of 7.2% year-on-year, which implies an upward adjustment to our full-year growth forecast of 7.7% from the previous projection of 7.5%. It would be even more daunting to achieve the official 8.3-8.5% growth projection, which would require 4Q25 expansion of 9.7-10.5% year-on-year.

Meanwhile, Vietnam Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) expanded for the third month in September, above 50, reversing three months of sub-50 readings prior to that. This suggests a stabilized outlook ahead and is further reaffirmed by the quickened pace of realized foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows, which increased 8.5% year-on-year to US$18.8 billion in the first nine months of the year. If the momentum continues into 4Q25, this could mean that full year inflows may match the record inflows of USD25.4 billion achieved in 2024, according to VOV.

Suan Teck Kin, Head of Research and Executive Director, Global Economics and Markets Research, at UOB, pointed out that the outlook through the end of 2025 remains positive, driven by strong performance over the first three quarters of the year, particularly in the export sector.

Currently, Vietnam is among the fastest-growing economies in ASEAN, with a projected growth rate of over 7%, outpacing Indonesia (5%), Malaysia (4.6%-5.3%), Singapore (3.52%), and Thailand (2%-3%). The manufacturing sector has been a key differentiator and main growth driver, generating higher added value compared to resource-based industries such as agriculture or mining, thereby reinforcing Vietnam’s solid position in the region.

1–2 tropical storms may form in East Sea next month

Vietnam's meteorological agency warns of 1–2 storms or tropical depressions in the East Sea by mid-December, potentially impacting mainland areas.

Vietnam's National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting has released its monthly climate outlook for the period from November 11 to December 10, 2025.

According to the forecast, 1–2 tropical storms or tropical depressions are likely to form in the East Sea during this time and may impact mainland Vietnam.

Historically, the East Sea experiences an average of 1.2 storms during this period, with 0.4 making landfall in Vietnam.

Current models suggest widespread heavy rain may occur across the southern part of Quang Tri Province, Da Nang, eastern Quang Ngai, Dak Lak, and Khanh Hoa.

In the Central Highlands and southern regions, scattered thunderstorms and showers are expected, especially concentrated in November.

Rainfall totals for areas from southern Quang Tri to Lam Dong may exceed the seasonal average by 30–60%.

Other regions may also experience above-average rainfall - by 10–30% - except for northern provinces and the stretch from Thanh Hoa to northern Quang Tri, where rainfall could be 10–30% below average.

The next month is also expected to see an increase in both frequency and intensity of cold air surges.

Consequently, average temperatures in northeastern Vietnam, the stretch from Thanh Hoa to Da Nang, and the eastern part of Quang Ngai are forecast to be 0.5–1°C lower than usual.

In other areas, average temperatures may also be slightly lower, by around 0.5°C, cited VNN.

Storm No. 14 continues to move slowly northward and is forecast to exit the East Sea within 24 hours. Source: NCHMF

Meteorologists warn that climate change is causing increasingly unpredictable and extreme weather patterns, including short but intense rainfall, flash floods, and landslides.

Authorities and residents are advised to regularly monitor short-term weather updates (1–3 days) for timely and appropriate responses.

Regarding Tropical Storm Fung-Wong (Storm No. 14), as of 2:00 p.m. on November 11, the storm remained nearly stationary, moving slowly northward at 5–10 km/h.

The storm is forecast to exit the East Sea within the next 24 hours.

However, vessels operating in the northeastern part of the East Sea are advised to remain vigilant, as winds near the storm’s center may reach levels 9–11, with gusts up to level 14.

Waves in affected areas could rise between 4–6 meters, and even up to 9 meters near the storm center.

The sea will remain extremely rough.

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