Vietnam, Singapore young officers enhance exchanges, cooperation
Vietnamese and Singaporean young military officers gathered in Hanoi on October 8 to exchange knowledge, share professional experiences, and discuss military training and operations.
The event formed part of the 2025 Vietnam–Singapore Young Officers Exchange Program.
At the event, Senior Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Quang Huy highlighted that the annual exchange program has helped consolidate the determination of young officers from both sides to preserve and advance the Vietnam–Singapore Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, while fostering solidarity, trust, and mutual understanding between the two militaries.
He expressed his belief that young officers will continue to act as core communicators and educators, serving as a strong bridge to further deepen bilateral defense ties.
Huy noted that the two countries have maintained regular high-level exchanges, dialogues, and existing cooperation mechanisms, with defense cooperation achieving meaningful results in areas such as leadership exchanges, training, and personnel development. Both sides have also strengthened coordination at bilateral and multilateral forums, according to VNA.
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| Vietnamese and Singaporean young military officers gather in Hanoi to exchange knowledge, share professional experiences, and discuss military training and operations. (Photo: tienphong.vn) |
He affirmed that young officers of the Vietnam People’s Army are confident the growing cooperation between Vietnam and Singapore will continue to contribute significantly to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond. He also proposed that both sides maintain regular information sharing, counter hostile attempts to undermine bilateral relations, and make future exchange activities more practical and effective.
For his part, Lieutenant Colonel Koh Zhi Chao, head of the delegation of the Singapore Armed Forces’ young officers, said the exchange provides a valuable opportunity to strengthen friendship among young officers, building on the longstanding ties between the two nations and their militaries.
He expressed his hope that young Singaporean officers will gain valuable insights and experience from their Vietnamese peers, share future visions, and work together to further enhance cooperation and contribute to the growing partnership between the two armed forces.
Vietnam poised to become ASEAN’s new logistics hub
With a logistics market valued at an estimated US$70–80 billion, over 45,000 logistics enterprises including more than 5,000 international freight forwarders, Vietnam is emerging as a strong contender to become ASEAN’s next logistics hub.
Dao Trong Khoa, Chairman of the Vietnam Logistics Business Association (VLA), was speaking at a press conference held during the 2025 International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) World Congress (FWC) currently taking place in Hanoi.
FIATA World Congress 2025 is more than just an annual convention - it is a platform where the global logistics community comes together to shape a new development model that is greener, more digitalised, and more sustainable, emphasised Khoa.
According to the VLA leader, Vietnam’s dynamic and deeply integrated economy is set to exceed US$800 billion in total trade volume by 2025. The growing logistics ecosystem plays a vital role in facilitating trade and supporting economic growth.
However, he admitted, the country still faces notable challenges, particularly in logistics costs and emissions. Vietnam’s logistics costs currently account for 16–18% of GDP, significantly higher than the global average of 10–12%. At the same time, the logistics sector contributes to 8–10% of national CO₂ emissions, highlighting the urgent need for cost reduction and a transition to green logistics models.
The Vietnamese government has already issued several strategic resolutions to promote green logistics, modernize infrastructure, and drive international integration, with a focus on improving ports, warehousing, and digital transformation, reported VOV.
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| Vietnam holds the potential to become a regional logistics hub, according to the Vietnam Logistics Business Association. (Illustrative image) |
Speaking at the event, Turgut Erkeskin, President of the FIATA, highlighted the critical nature of green logistics and agility in the current global context. The logistics industry is undergoing deep structural changes amid shifting trade flows, geopolitical tensions, the rise of e-commerce, technological disruption, and growing sustainability demands.
Green logistics and rapid adaptability are no longer optional, they are essential, said Erkeskin, adding logistics enterprises must play a central role in ensuring that global supply chains remain reliable, efficient, and socially responsible, even in a world where protectionism is on the rise.
Takashi Kagamoto, general director of Mitsubishi Estate Vietnam, also highlighted the favourable conditions for logistics development in key trade hubs like Ho Chi Minh City. However, he cautioned that trade policy risks, climate change, and disruptions to global transport could pose serious threats without a resilient logistics system.
To stay ahead of global supply chain shifts, he noted, Vietnam needs coordinated investment in infrastructure connectivity, workforce quality, and a fully developed digital logistics ecosystem.
Vietnam – a strategic investment destination for international enterprises: Chinese expert
Amidst global economic uncertainty, Vietnam continues to assert its position as one of Asia’s most attractive and safest investment destinations, praised by international enterprises and experts for its stable political environment, open policies, and strong reform by the Government, said Yan Jiehe, Chairman of the Zhuangyan Research Institute in China.
Talking to the Vietnam News Agency’s correspondent in Beijing, Yan said Vietnam is emerging as a strategic investment destination for both Chinese and international enterprises.
He said Vietnam offers favourable conditions for foreign investors. It has political stability under single-party leadership, providing a sense of safety and reliability for investors. The country also maintains fast economic growth and an optimal business environment, with leaders at both central and local levels accompanying and supporting businesses. These are crucial factors that instil confidence in investors considering Vietnam as the ‘second home’ in their development strategies.
Yan praised the Vietnamese Government’s efforts in recent years to implement strong reforms aimed at improving the investment and business environment, streamlining administrative procedures, enhancing governance capacity, and ensuring greater transparency in economic management.
He commended the recent decisions of Vietnam’s leadership, which have helped reduce development costs, accelerate project implementation, and improve efficiency.
With the current pace of reform and growth, Yan predicted that Vietnam could lead Asia in GDP growth over the next two decades and become one of the most dynamic and important economies in the region, cited VNA.
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| Yan Jiehe, Chairman of the Zhuangyan Research Institute in China (Photo: VNA) |
Success only comes to those who are well-prepared, and Vietnam is ready, he affirmed, adding that investors not only bring capital but also contribute knowledge and experience to help Vietnam achieve development and long-term attainments.
Looking ahead, the expert forecasts that Chinese investment in Vietnam will become increasingly diverse. Rather than focusing solely on export-oriented processing and manufacturing, Chinese enterprises are expected to shift toward localising production, integrating value chains, and pursuing long-term operations.
The ultimate goal is to make Vietnam a hub for production and development in the region and, later, Southeast Asia and the rest of the world, he said.
Chinese economic experts share a similar view, highlighting Vietnam’s growing role as a crucial link in global supply chains, especially as international enterprises seek to diversify their production bases. With its policy of deep integration, Vietnam is establishing itself as a strategic, safe, and promising investment destination in the Asia-Pacific region.
As of September 30, total registered foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam reached 28.54 billion USD, up 15.2% year-on-year. Notably, the disbursed FDI is estimated at 18.8 billion USD, an 8.5% increase from the same period last year and the highest level for the first nine months in the past five years, according to the National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance.
Craft village fair honors traditional craftsmanship and OCOP products
The 21st Vietnam Craft Village Fair 2025, organized by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, will take place from October 10 to 14 at the Agricultural Exhibition Center (No. 489 Hoang Quoc Viet Street, Hanoi).
This annual event aims to promote and honour traditional craft villages and streets, while also introducing and connecting OCOP products and signature agricultural goods from provinces and cities across the country.
With 100 standard booths covering an area of 1,500m², this year’s fair will feature nearly 100 units and enterprises from 18 provinces and cities, including Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Son La, Lang Son, Dong Thap, and Ho Chi Minh City.
The exhibition space will showcase hundreds of distinctive handicraft products from renowned craft villages such as Phu Vinh bamboo and rattan weaving, Phu Lang pottery, Dong Ho folk paintings, Xuan La toy figurines, Chuong conical hats, Dai Bai bronze casting, Dinh Yen sedge mats, Lao ethnic brocade weaving, Da Nang agarwood, and Phu Khe woodcraft, NDO reported.
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| The 21st Vietnam Craft Village Fair 2025, organised by the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, will take place from October 10 to 14 in Hanoi. |
In addition, the demonstration area will gather eight outstanding artisans performing traditional craft techniques such as bamboo and rattan weaving, toy figurine modelling, conical hat making, brocade weaving, wood carving, and folk painting.
The fair also offers an opportunity to introduce many OCOP-certified agricultural products rated three stars or higher, along with items granted geographical indication protection and regional specialties such as ST25 rice, Thai Nguyen tea, Dak Lak coffee, Thanh Hoa fermented pork roll, Vu Dai braised fish, Cao Lanh mango, Ly Son garlic and onion, Hai Phong squid cake, Dien Bien smoked buffalo meat, and Vanh Khuyen persimmons.
One of the fair’s highlights is the 600m² OCOP product exhibition and display space, designed with an open, eco-friendly layout. Here, provinces and cities will present their exemplary OCOP products rated from three to five stars, reflecting regional characteristics and local culture, thereby enhancing brand value and expanding market reach.
As part of the event, the Week for Promotion and Introduction of OCOP Products and Lang Son Agricultural Specialties will be held from October 10 to 13, featuring the typical products of 20 enterprises and cooperatives.
The program aims to promote trade, connect supply and demand, and support OCOP producers in product marketing, brand development, and market expansion, including participation in e-commerce platforms and online sales activities.
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