Vietnam News Today (May 6): Party Leader To Lam Meets Vietnamese Expatriates in Kazakhstan

	Vietnam News Today (May 4): Vietnam, Sri Lanka Deepen Traditional Friendship, Comprehensive Cooperation
	Vietnam News Today (May 5): Party Chief To Lam’s Trip to Russia Carries Special Strategic Significance

The article on Nikkei Asia (Screenshot photo)

Vietnam records dramatic growth after 50 years of reunification: Nikkei Asia

Nikkei Asia on May 5 published a mega story by journalist Atsushi Tomiyama, analyzing the impressive economic growth that Vietnam has achieved thanks to its renovation efforts.

The article cited data from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) showing that Vietnam's gross domestic product, in local currency terms, was 51 times larger in 2024 than in 1994, the highest growth rate among ASEAN members.

Vietnam's economic success is attributed mainly to the “Doi Moi” (Renewal) policy launched at the 6th National Party Congress in 1986. The article said that these renovation efforts began to generate positive results in the second half of the 1990s, cited VNA.

The article cited Party General Secretary To Lam’s address at the grand celebration of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and the national reunification (May 30, 1975-2025). Specifically, Lam called on Vietnamese people to build upon the spirit of the great victory in the spring of 1975, and the values and triumphs over the past 40 years under 'Doi Moi' to reap greater triumphs and forge new miracles in the new era.

With the policy, Vietnam has witnessed a number of other important events in recent decades such as obtaining the US lifting of economic sanctions against Vietnam in 1994, opening the door to trade and investment from Western countries; joining ASEAN in 1995; joining the World Trade Organization (WTO) in 2007; and the opening of Samsung's large-scale mobile phone factory in 2009.

Nikkei Asia also highlighted the impressive results that foreign companies have achieved when investing in Vietnam.

Samsung – a corporation with registered capital of 23.2 billion USD in Vietnam – has become the largest foreign investor in the country. In 2024, Samsung Vietnam recorded revenue of 62.5 billion USD, including 54.4 billion USD from exports. This figure accounted for 13.4% of Vietnam's total export turnover.

Since the 2010s, Vietnam has reaped the benefits of being at the forefront of the manufacturing shift, epitomized by Apple, the article said.

According to a list the tech giant began publishing in 2012, the company’s suppliers in Vietnam grew from 12 in 2015 to 35 in 2024, the largest in Southeast Asia. Thailand came second with 24 suppliers.

A cluster of related industries has emerged, with electronic components now leading Vietnam’s exports. The article argues that Vietnam is certain to become richer in the medium to long term, citing IMF data as saying that Vietnam's GDP per capita was 4,535 USD in 2024. The Government aims to achieve over 7,500 USD in GDP per capita by 2030 and become a high-income country by 2045.

The author commented that after overcoming the painful war, Vietnam is learning from the past and looking towards the future.

At the reunification celebration on April 30, the Party chief called for "closing the past, respecting differences, and looking forward to the future", the Nikkei Asia reported.

Party leader To Lam meets Vietnamese expatriates in Kazakhstan

Party General Secretary To Lam met with staff members of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Kazakhstan, in capital Astana on May 5 as part of his ongoing visit to Kazakhstan.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Pham Thai Nhu Mai reported to the leader on the current situation of the Vietnamese community in the host country, citizen protection work, and the Embassy’s efforts to connect and provide domestic information to the overseas Vietnamese community, thereby fostering solidarity and contributing to national development.

Speaking at the meeting, the Party leader expressed his pleasure at visiting Kazakhstan for the first time in his capacity as General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, marking an important step in the traditional friendship between the two countries. He extended warm regards and best wishes for health, happiness, and success to all embassy staff and the Vietnamese community in Kazakhstan.

Informing them about the country’s current situation, the Party leader emphasised that after nearly 40 years of implementing the Doi Moi (Renovation) process, Vietnam has recorded significant accomplishments across many areas. Its political, socio-economic, cultural, scientific-technological, national defense, and security capabilities have been continuously enhanced, while the country’s global standing has also been elevated.

At present, the country is focusing on promoting economic growth, striving to achieve high growth rates in 2025 and the following years, and continually improving the quality of life for its people, according to VOV.

Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse visit the Vietnamese Embassy in capital Astana on May 5 as part of his ongoing visit to Kazakhstan at the invitation of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. (Photo: VNA)

Regarding Vietnam-Kazakhstan relations, he stated that during this visit, the two countries would establish a Strategic Partnership, in line with the aspirations and interests of both sides. Bilateral economic and trade ties are developing positively. Areas such as tourism, culture, education and training, and people-to-people exchanges have also seen notable progress.

The General Secretary was pleased to see that although the Vietnamese community in Kazakhstan is not large, it has deeply integrated into the local society and is increasingly thriving. He highly appreciated the community’s spirit of solidarity, deep integration, and commitment to preserving the Vietnamese cultural identity. He acknowledged the contributions of the Vietnamese Association and the Association of Young Vietnamese Intellectuals in Kazakhstan, hoping that these organizations would continue to play a key role in connecting overseas Vietnamese with their homeland.

The Party leader praised the Vietnamese Embassy staff in Kazakhstan for their active contributions to diplomacy, citizen protection, and community building, and called on them to continue demonstrating professionalism, responsibility, and dedication to strengthening Vietnam’s relations with the host country. He reminded them to be a reliable support for the Vietnamese community and safeguard their legitimate rights and interests.

Party General Secretary To Lam arrived in Astana on May 5, beginning a state visit to Kazakhstan at the invitation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.

Vietnamese specialties introduced to Malaysian consumers

The Vietnam Goods Week in Malaysia kicked off on May 5, simultaneously at AEON supermarkets in major cities such as Kuala Lumpur, Penang, and Johor.

A highlight of the event is the introduction of Vietnamese culinary booths featuring iconic dishes like Vietnamese banh mi (baguette), pho (rice noodle), and coffee by the "Saigon Station" restaurant, along with AEON’s own Vietnamese mixed pho booth, reported VNA.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Malaysia Dinh Ngoc Linh (second from left), Trade Counselor Le Phu Cuong (far left), and AEON Malaysia executives at the mixed pho booth prepared by AEON. (Photo: VNA)

Sixteen renowned Vietnamese export brands, including Trung Nguyen coffee, Vinamilk dairy products, and Nam Ngu fish sauce, are showcased on AEON's shelves. These are brands that AEON Co. (M) Bhd personally selected, evaluated, and imported from Vietnam.

Vietnamese Trade Counselor in Malaysia Le Phu Cuong said AEON Co. (M) Bhd is a Japanese-invested retail chain in Malaysia. Therefore, products entering this system must meet high standards and are widely distributed across AEON’s nationwide supermarket network.

The Vietnam Goods Week serves as a vital bridge, bringing Malaysian consumers closer to Vietnam, its people and culture, through authentic Vietnamese specialties, he noted.

Hue breakfast noodle soup among Top 100 breakfasts in the world

Hue breakfast noodle soup (Bun Bo Hue) has been placed among the top 100 breakfasts in the world by TasteAtlas, a website dedicated to discovering fresh ingredients, traditional dishes, and authentic restaurants.

The local delicacy hailing from Thua Thien-Hue province was placed at 53rd position in the list.

Vietnamese soup is traditionally consumed for breakfast, consisting of pork and beef bones broth, bun noodles, lemongrass, shrimp paste, lime juice, and a variety of herbs, the website wrote.

However, the soup is much spicier than most Vietnamese soups, whilst its flavour is often described as rich and complex, it added.

Hue breakfast noodle soup is placed among Top 100 breakfasts in the world. (Photo courtesy of TasteAtlas)

TasteAtlas suggested that usual additions include sliced brisket or crab balls, with the soup remaining a delicious and inexpensive breakfast staple.

Topping the list is Kahvaltı from Turkey. The other specialties to feature among the Top 5 include Komplet of Serbia, Sfinz of Libya, Kaleh Pacheh of Iran, and Croissant of France.

TasteAtlas was originally founded in 2015 and has its headquarters in Zagreb in Croatia. It is best known for its global map of traditional dishes. The rankings on TasteAtlas are based on various opinions and reviews offered by culinary experts and critics, thereby ensuring the reliability of the awards.

General Secretary To Lam starts four-nation tour

General Secretary To Lam on Monday begins a State visit to Kazakhstan at the invitation of President Kassym-Jormat Tokayev.

Kazakhstan is the first leg of a four-nation tour that will also take the General Secretary to Azerbaijan, Russia and Belarus.

To is accompanied by Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee, Chairman of the Central Commission for Internal Affairs Phan Dinh Trac; Politburo member, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Chairman of the Central Theory Council Nguyen Xuan Thang; Politburo member, Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang; Politburo member, Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang; Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son; Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien; Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Manh Hung; Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung; Minister of Justice Nguyen Hai Ninh; Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan; Assistant to the General Secretary To An Xo among others.

The tour reflects Vietnam's consistent efforts in realizing the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multi-lateralization of external relations, cited VGP.

Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse.

Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia and Belarus are Vietnam's traditional partners that have provided support and assistance for Vietnam during its struggle for national independence in the past as well as the current course of national development and protection.

Via the tour, Vietnam expects to promote long-term, effective, substantive and mutually beneficial cooperation with these partners.

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