HCM City's leader works with heads of representative agencies abroad
Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City Vo Van Hoan on January 25 worked with a delegation of newly-appointed heads of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad, led by Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, WTO and other international organisations in Geneva, Switzerland.
HCM City (VNA) – Vice Chairman of the People’sCommittee of Ho Chi Minh City Vo Van Hoan on January 25 worked with adelegation of newly-appointed heads of Vietnamese representative agenciesabroad, led by Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Permanent Representative of Vietnam tothe UN, WTO and other international organisations in Geneva, Switzerland.
Briefing the diplomats on the city’s situation,Hoan said that the southern largest economic hub is working to renovate itseconomy, focusing on high technology industries, and green and sustainabledevelopment, in a bid to retain its role as the country’s economic growthdriver.
Underlining that the city is in need of externalresources during its development process, he suggested ambassadors and heads ofrepresentative agencies abroad to introduce and call on foreign investors toinvest in transport infrastructure, urban development and new technologyindustries in the city.
The official also proposed the diplomats to adviseinternational partners to help HCM City to build the policy framework andengage in new areas in the city such as the building of an internationalfinancial centre and smart urban development.
Besides, the city also hopes for support from thediplomats in external affairs, thus enhancing the efficiency of cooperationwith international partners, Hoan said.
On behalf of the delegation, Ambassador Mai PhanDung said that the newly-appointed ambassadors and heads of representativeagencies abroad are highly aware of their responsibilities in contributing tothe growth of HCM City, and pledged to work hard to promote the city’sintegration and development process through specific and practical actions suchas supporting investment attraction activities, promoting exports and buildingand perfecting policies.
At the meeting, the newly-appointed ambassadors toThailand, Sri Lanka, Argentina, Kuwait, Qatar, Cuba, and the ConsulGeneral in Vancouver, Canada, put forth recommendations to help HCM City fosterits connections with foreign localities and strengthen cooperation with foreignpartners in the fields of economy, investment, trade, and people-to-peopleexchanges./.
President Vo Van Thuong on December 20 met with ambassadors and chiefs of Vietnamese representative offices abroad who have returned home for the 32nd National Diplomatic Conference.
The flow of overseas remittances to Ho Chi Minh City is estimated to reach about 8.92 billion USD in 2023, up 35% year on year, said Deputy Director of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV)’s Branch in HCM City Nguyen Duc Lenh.
Overseas Vietnamese (OV) affairs in 2024 will focus on two orientations of strengthening the great solidarity of the Vietnamese community abroad and promoting resources from the community, which will be implemented with seven major solutions, stated Vice Chairman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs Nguyen Manh Dong at a press conference in Hanoi on January 11.
A meeting was held in Ben Tre on January 24 for heads of Vietnamese representative agencies abroad in the 2024-2027 tenure and localities in the Mekong Delta region.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
An overview of the working session. (Photo: VNA) 
