The Vietnam Pepper and Spice Association (VPSA) forecasts that pepper exports this year will reach over US$1 billion, returning pepper to the group of billion-dollar commodities.

The Vietnam Railway Administration has proposed spending hundreds of billions dong from 2026-2031 to resolve railway bottlenecks, ensuring traffic safety and facilitating transportation.

The Government is considering implementation of a state-funded credit package worth VNĐ30 trillion (US$1.2 billion) for social housing to replace the current ineffective package.

Local authorities of coastal provinces and cities have paid attention to the sustainable development of economic sectors including tourism and effectively exploit marine resources but combined with eco-system protection.

Pakistan has recently announced changes to its visa policies, including a significant waiver of visa fees for visitors from 126 countries, including Vietnam.

Nguyen Phuong Anh, a student from the northcentral province of Thanh Hoa, was crowned Miss Tourism Identity Vietnam 2024 at the grand finale held in Quang Ngai city on August 14 evening.

Given favourable conditions, agricultural experts predict that durian exports will grow in the remaining months of the year, potentially pushing the total value to US$3.5 billion by the year’s end.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism has announced five traditional crafts as national intangible heritage after recognizing a number of dishes from across the country recently.

The skies over Ha Long will be full of hot air balloons during its first-ever festival in early September to mark 79 years of National Day of Vietnam (1945-2024), and 30 years of Ha Long Bay’s World Heritage site recognition by UNESCO (1994-2024).

Party General Secretary and President To Lam hosted a meeting with incumbent and former Party and State leaders in Hanoi on August 15.

China is looking forward to receiving Vietnamese Party General Secretary and President To Lam on his upcoming state visit to Beijing, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China.

The General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) and the General Command of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) launched their hotline on August 15 to exchange views on issues of mutual concern.

The Royal Canadian Navy’s Halifax-class frigate HMCS Montréal arrived at Nha Rong wharf in Ho Chi Minh City on August 15, beginning a five-day visit to Vietnam.

The Vietnam Television (VTV) international women’s volleyball cup VTV Ferroli Cup 2024 is scheduled to take place in the northern province of Ninh Binh from August 24 to 31.

Vietnam’s tourism industry is gathering full steam from the COVID-19 inflicted hiatus thanks to its new visa waiver policy, high safety level, new attractive products and tourism promotion efforts locally and globally.

Vietnam expects to promote the realization of high-level agreements with China to strengthen and deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership between the two countries.

Vietnam can learn from India's balanced and comprehensive strategy in establishing international relations, especially in the cultural and economic fields, said experts at a Hanoi conference on India's policy towards West Asia and lessons for VN.

Thai Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn and her entourage visited Quang Tri on August 15 to examine a project she is funding to enhance the life quality of children and adolescents in Asia-Pacific underway at Nguyen Tat Thanh Primary school in Dong Ha.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and State President To Lam and his spouse will pay a state visit to China from August 18 – 20.

The Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) will conduct a wage survey at 3,400 enterprises with 6,800 labourers to serve as a foundation for the adjustment of the regional minimum wage in 2025.

Amid the robust digital transformation in Vietnam, information technology and creative industries have emerged as sectors with significant growth potential.

Economist Dr Vo Tri Thanh says that greenization is a revolutionary trend that will change business models, lifestyles, investments and legal frameworks.

Mong Cai city and China’s Dongxing city have agreed to implement a pilot programme extending the operating hours of the Bac Luan II border gate in order to facilitate the handling of goods, reduce congestion, and increase trade volume.

A series of art performances, exhibitions, culture performances and trade and tourism promotions are coming to the central city, part of a cultural exchange festival between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK).

Vietnamese students brought home one silver medal and one bronze at the first International Olympiad in Artificial Intelligence (IOAI) 2024 in Burgas, Bulgaria.