Weekly highlights: Vietnam’s North-South Express named world’s best train ride

Vietnamese shooters Trinh Thu Vinh and Pham Quang Huy secured a gold medal in the 10m air pistol mixed team event on February 12, at the Asian Rifle/Pistol Cup 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand.

The Ministry of Transport is working with ministries, sectors, and localities to ensure construction of the North-South high-speed railway begins by the end of 2027.

Looking back on the 95-year journey under the Party’s leadership, Vietnam has transformed from a poor and backward nation into a dynamic country with an increasingly prominent position on the world stage. This proves that, in Vietnam, no other political force than the Communist Party of Vietnam possesses sufficient mettle, intellect, experience, reputation, and leadership capabilities to guide the country through every difficulty and challenge, bringing the national revolutionary cause from one victory to others.

The Vietnamese people are celebrating Tet (Lunar New Year), which this year takes place from January 25 to February 2. Tet is the most significant traditional celebration in Vietnamese culture, a time for families to reunite, reflect on the past year, and hope for the best in the year ahead.

The “Ong Cong, Ong Tao” (Land Genie and Kitchen Gods) worshipping ritual, held on the 23rd day of the 12th lunar month, which falls on January 22 this year, is also considered the start of the Lunar New Year (Tet) festival – the biggest and most important traditional holiday of Vietnamese people.

Vietnam is accelerating momentum in digital transformation. However, the cumbersome and multi-layered organisational structure remains a major bottleneck, hindering further progress.

The Government has issued Resolution No. 11/NQ-CP dated January 15, 2025, on visa exemptions under the Tourism Stimulus Programme for 2025 for citizens of Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland.

In the 2024 ASEAN Cup finals, the Vietnamese men's football team won both the first- and second-leg matches against Thailand to obtain an aggregate result of 5 - 3 and bring home the trophy. 

Reforming and restructuring the state apparatus is crucial for Vietnam to make breakthroughs in the new era - which begins with a very important event - the 14th National Party Congress set in early 2026, according to insiders.

The Central Highlands province of Dak Nong has celebrated the second conferment of the UNESCO global geopark title for its geopark.

The Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 concluded in Hanoi with 16 contracts worth 286.3 million USD, signed between Vietnam's defence industry and international partners.

Vietnam is accelerating momentum in digital transformation. However, the cumbersome and multi-layered organisational structure remains a major bottleneck, hindering further progress. In this podcast, we will explore expert insights on how streamlining the state apparatus can enhance Vietnam’s digital transformation endeavors.

Christmas is just around the corner, bringing a festive and vibrant atmosphere that brightens the entire country. From the solemn churches and Catholic neighborhoods to bustling streets, dazzling shopping centers, and cozy cafés, every corner glows with twinkling lights, floral decorations, and the sweet melodies of Christmas. The joyful and heartwarming decorations fill everyone with holiday cheer as they embrace the season of peace and look forward to a happy and prosperous 2025.

The national apparatus overhaul is both an urgent necessity and a natural progression for Vietnam to advance in the new era, solidifying its position in the region and the world. This is the view shared by domestic and international experts regarding Vietnam’s commitment to reforming its organisational structure.

The Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 kicked off on December 19 at Gia Lam airport in Hanoi and will run until December 22. The event gathers over 200 units and enterprises from more than 30 countries worldwide.

The Asian Development Bank raised its 2024 and 2025 growth forecasts for Vietnam to 6.4% and 6.6% from previous predictions of 6.0% and 6.2%, driven by stronger trade activities and ongoing fiscal stimulus measures.

In his article “Combating wastefulness,” Party General Secretary To Lam underscores that the fight against wastefulness—a form of “internal enemy”—is as strategically significant as combating corruption and other negative phenomena. It serves as a vital motivator for the political system to unite in implementing breakthrough solutions, optimising resources, and propelling Vietnam decisively into a new era – the era of national resurgence.

Vietnam's top leaders have asked for urgent reforms to streamline the political system, emphasizing their critical importance in the current context.

Two luxurious resorts in the central province of Quang Nam have secured major accolades at the 31st World Travel Awards 2024, held in Madeira, Portugal, on November 24.

From the streets of Hanoi to the bustling corners of Saigon, coffee is more than just a drink here—it's a way of life.