| Vietnam News Today (Nov. 23) notable headlines Prime Minister meets South Korean President on G20 Summit sidelines CPV delegation visits Spain to deepen strategic partnership Vietnam–Israel trade to surpass 4 billion USD soon: Trade Counselor Trade surpasses US$800 billion, poised for historic record Int’l Culinary Culture Festival connects Vietnam with global cuisine Vietnam raises proposals to boost inter-regional cooperation at IPMF-4 PM proposes three strategic assurances for growth at G20 Summit International community steps up support for Vietnam’s disaster recovery Czech Senate President wraps up official visit to Vietnam |
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) meets South Korean President Lee Jae Myung in Johannesburg, South Africa, November 22, 2025 - Photo: VGP |
Prime Minister meets South Korean President on G20 Summit sidelines
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Johannesburg, South Africa on November 22.
The Prime Minister congratulated the Government and people of South Korea on the occasion of the 80th National Liberation Day and commended South Korea for successfully hosting the APEC events in 2025, especially the 32nd APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting.
President Lee affirmed that South Korea always considers Vietnam an important partner in its foreign policy toward the region and stands ready to accompany the Southeast Asian nation in its next stage of development.
The South Korean President offered his deep condolences and sympathies to the Vietnamese people for the loss of life and property caused by recent natural disasters, cited VGP.
South Korea is actively promoting labor cooperation programs to further advance bilateral collaboration with Vietnam in this field, he shared.
Both leaders expressed their delight at the significant achievements in the bilateral ties across all areas, especially since the two countries upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The two sides vowed to further strengthen political trust via promoting high-level exchanges, expand substantive cooperation in defense and security, enhance economic, trade, and investment cooperation and realize the shared vision of turning science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation into a new pillar of their relationship.
They pledged to further strengthen cooperation in labor, culture, tourism, and local-to-local exchanges.
The two sides also vowed to strengthen coordination on regional and international issues of mutual concern, with South Korea's willingness to share its experience with Vietnam in successfully hosting the APEC 2027.
CPV delegation visits Spain to deepen strategic partnership
A high-level delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), led by Phan Dinh Trac, Politburo member, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee, and head of its Commission for Internal Affairs, paid a working visit to Spain from November 17 to 21.
The visit aimed to concretize the outcomes of the official trip by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez to Vietnam in April 2025 and simultaneously strengthen the Strategic Partnership between the two nations.
In Spain, the delegation held working sessions with senior leaders from the Spanish Parliament, Government agencies, and political parties, including First Vice President of the Senate Javier Maroto; head of the justice committee of the Congress of Deputies Joaquin Salmeron; Secretary General of the Communist Party of Spain (PCE) Enrique Santiago Romero; and Federal Coordinator of the Spanish United Left (IU) Antonio Maíllo.
During the meetings, Trac shared information on Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal), and the key outcomes of the 13th National Party Congress, particularly in science and technology, digital transformation, education, and healthcare. He also exchanged experiences with the Spanish side on state governance, perfecting the legal framework, judicial reform, and corruption combat.
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| The CPV delegation has a working session with representatives of the Spanish Communist Party. (Photo: VNA) |
The Spanish side expressed admiration for Vietnam’s significant socio-economic and foreign affairs achievements, especially its successful efforts in streamlining the administrative apparatus amid a complex global context. The hosts affirmed the great importance they attach to the friendship and Strategic Partnership with Vietnam, considered Vietnam a priority partner in Southeast Asia, and expressed their desire to expand cooperation across fields.
Both sides noted with satisfaction the positive progress in multifaceted bilateral cooperation, particularly the growth in two-way trade. The trade turnover reached 3.7 billion USD in the first 10 months of 2025 (a 6% increase year-on-year), with full-year projections around USD5 billion. Based on enhanced political trust and deepening cooperation, both sides agreed to coordinate closely to implement agreed initiatives, striving to elevate the bilateral relationship to a new level.
The Spanish side committed to boosting cooperation across all sectors, notably investment in renewable energy, which is a flagship industry for Spain. The Spanish officials also requested that Vietnam continue creating favourable conditions for Spanish investors and support the development of Spanish language teaching in Vietnam. Significantly, Spain affirmed its continued support for Vietnam, promising to urge the remaining EU member states to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) soon and the European Commission to consider lifting the "Yellow card" warning on Vietnamese seafood.
Reaffirming the high value placed on the Strategic Partnership, Trac proposed that both sides maintain the exchange of delegations and high-level contacts across the Party, State, and people-to-people channels. He urged utilising existing cooperation mechanisms effectively, such as the Political Consultations and the Joint Committee on Economy, Trade, and Investment, while expanding cooperation frameworks in priority areas like science and technology, innovation, digital transformation, and renewable energy.
During the visit, the delegation met with officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Spain.
Vietnam–Israel trade to surpass 4 billion USD soon: Trade Counselor
Two-way trade between Vietnam and Israel could soon exceed 4 billion USD if businesses from both sides fully leverage tariff preferences under the Vietnam–Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA), according to Le Thai Hoa, Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Israel.
Speaking with Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Tel Aviv on the first anniversary of VIFTA, Hoa suggested the two countries' enterprises enhance market surveys, participate in trade fairs, strengthen direct links and meet Israel’s updated technical standards aligned with EU and US regulations.
He said VIFTA has delivered positive outcomes in its first year, especially in improving market access for both sides. Israel removed more than 66% of tariff lines immediately after the agreement entered into force on November 17, 2024 and is set to liberalise nearly 93% by the end of the roadmap. Vietnam will eliminate close to 86% of its tariff lines over the same period. These reductions have allowed key Vietnamese exports – including seafood, footwear, garments, coffee, cashew nuts, processed agricultural products and construction materials – to strengthen their presence in the Israeli market.
Vietnam’s exports to Israel reached over 700 million USD in the first ten months of 2025 and are projected to total around 880 million USD for the full year, up more than 10% from 2024 assuming market stability. Aquatic products remain a strength, accounting for 12–13% of Israel’s total seafood imports, while Israel remains Vietnam’s largest export destination in the Middle East–Africa region. Other Vietnamese staples such as cashews, instant coffee, fragrant rice and canned foods have also posted steady growth thanks to alignment with Israeli consumer demand and technical requirements.
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| Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Israel Le Thai Hoa (right) and Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat (Photo: VNA) |
Hoa noted that Israel’s market offers numerous advantages for Vietnamese exporters, including strong purchasing power, rapid inventory cycles and high demand for fully processed and packaged goods — conditions well matched to Vietnam’s production capabilities. However, exporters still face challenges, including risks stemming from regional conflict, certification requirements such as Kosher or Halal for certain food products, stringent EU- and US-style technical standards and business practices that prioritise direct dealings with producers. Technical discrepancies, such as mismatched scientific names for products like red tilapia, have also caused obstacles in import approval procedures, according to VNA.
Over the past year, the Vietnam Trade Office in Israel has played an active bridging role, advocating with Israeli authorities to finalise approval processes and confirm the VIFTA implementation timeline, the official said. It has also worked to address rules-of-origin issues to ensure exporters benefit from tariff cuts from their earliest shipments. The office has compiled handbooks on import standards, Technical Barriers to Trade, and Sanitary and Phytosanitary Measures, while regularly updating businesses on regulatory changes. It has also coordinated business delegations from Israel to Vietnam seeking new suppliers amid regional supply-chain disruptions.
Looking ahead, Hoa emphasized that VIFTA carries strategic importance as Vietnam’s first FTA with a Middle Eastern nation and Israel’s first with an ASEAN partner. The agreement is expected to significantly expand bilateral economic cooperation between 2025 and 2030, particularly in processed foods, agricultural products, consumer goods, building materials and high-tech sectors such as smart farming, water management, renewable energy, healthcare and innovation.
He added that the trade office will continue ramping up trade promotion, providing market information, organizing seminars, supporting business matching and coordinating with partners to address technical challenges to help Vietnamese firms fully harness VIFTA’s opportunities.
Trade surpasses US$800 billion, poised for historic record
Vietnam’s total import–export turnover exceeded US$800 billion as of November 15, setting a new national record, according to the latest figures from Vietnam Customs.
In the first half of November alone, trade turnover reached US$38.3 billion, of which exports totaled US$19.25 billion, driven by key sectors such as computers and electronic products with US$4.8 billion, machinery and equipment with US$2.36 billion, phones and components with US$2.16 billion, garments and textiles with US$1.39 billion and footwear wit over US$1 billion. These industries account for a large share of Vietnam’s export structure, reflecting expanding production in processing and manufacturing.
Meanwhile, imports during the same period hit US$19.1 billion. Two major product groups exceeded the US$1 billion mark including computers and electronic components with US$6.62 billion and machinery and equipment with US$2.59 billion. The continued rise in demand for raw materials and components signals strong production activity and lays the groundwork for export growth in the final months of the year.
From January 1 to November 15, exports brought back US$410.28 billion and imports grossed US$390.74 billion, generating a trade surplus of US$19.5 billion. This surplus supports macroeconomic stability, eases pressure on exchange rates, and strengthens the economy amid global trade volatility.
Vietnam Customs attributes the country’s strong trade performance to three main factors: the continued dominance of processing and manufacturing industries, robust exports of electronics, phones, and machinery amid global supply chain shifts, and effective use of free trade agreements with Europe, Japan, the Republic of Korea, and ASEAN, reported VOV.
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| Vietnam’s total import–export turnover exceeds US$800 billion as of November 15 (Photo: Illustrative image) |
Growing imports of capital goods also signal promising export prospects, as many businesses begin fulfilling orders for 2026 during the year’s final quarter.
With current momentum, Vietnam is on track to approach US$900 billion in total trade turnover by year-end.
The Ministry of Industry and Trade predicted that if key markets maintain their recovery and domestic businesses capitalise on year-end orders, Vietnam’s trade volume in 2025 could not only exceed US$800 billion but also approach the US$900 billion milestone, setting two historic records in a single year and further strengthening Vietnam’s position in global supply chains.
Int’l Culinary Culture Festival connects Vietnam with global cuisine
The 2025 International Culinary Culture Festival, themed “Trip of Flavors: A Taste Journey Across the Five Continents,” is getting underway in Hanoi on November 22–23, featuring nearly 120 booths from diplomatic missions, foreign cultural centers, provincial foreign affairs departments, and major enterprises.
This year’s festival, expanded in scale and enriched with creative programming and digital technology, celebrates both Vietnam’s and the world’s culinary heritage while highlighting cultural diplomacy as a bridge for international cooperation, friendship, and promoting Vietnam’s image as an innovative, globally integrated nation.
Hoang Thu Nga, deputy head of the festival’s organizing committee said this year’s event was organised on a larger scale and with more systematic preparation under the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“With 120 booths, the festival offers a ‘miniature world culinary map,’ where visitors can embark on a flavour journey from Asia and Europe to the Americas, Africa and Oceania. Each dish tells a story of culture, people and tradition,” she added.
A major highlight is the festival’s inaugural use of digital technology. A “digital interactive corner” allows visitors to access programme information, view maps of the booths, explore signature dishes of various countries and engage in multimedia experiences, VOV reported.
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| Hoang Thu Nga, deputy head of the festival’s organizing committee speaks at the event (Photo: kinhtedothi.vn) |
Complementing the culinary showcases is a lineup of creative activities including the Borderless Cuisine Diary, Fashion Food Show, Global Beer Fest, ASEAN Common Roof, Global Cuisine Avenue and a “Three Regions of Vietnam” area, turning the festival into a lively, multi-dimensional space where food meets music, fashion, culture and technology.
Taking place during Hanoi’s vibrant year-end festive season, the 2025 International Culinary Culture Festival is expected to attract large crowds, including residents, tourists and the diplomatic community. It offers visitors the chance to “travel the world through taste,” experiencing the flavours of five continents right in the heart of the capital.
With careful preparation, diverse content, and strong partnerships, the event not only celebrates cuisine but also strengthens cultural diplomacy, enriching public cultural life and enhancing Vietnam’s global cultural presence.
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