Vietnam

Thường trực Chính phủ cho ý kiến về 2 dự án luật quan trọng

Prime Minister | Local Language | Government | July 16, 2025 | Regulation

On July 15, 2025, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính chaired a meeting of the Standing Government Committee to review several key legislative drafts in preparation for the Government's specialized legislative session that month. The meeting was attended by members of the Politburo and Party Central Committee, including Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Hạnh Phúc and Deputy Prime Ministers Trần Hồng Hà, Lê Thanh Long, Hồ Đức Phớc, Bí Thanh Sơn, and Nguyễn Chí Dũng, along with leaders from various ministries and governmental agencies.

The committee examined the amended draft Law on Drug Prevention and Control, led by the Ministry of Public Security, and the draft Law on E-commerce, led by the Ministry of Industry and Trade. Additionally, they reviewed proposals related to the financial mechanism for a project supporting infrastructure and technology development for high-quality, low-emission rice in the Mekong Delta, funded by World Bank loans.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính emphasized that drug prevention should be fundamental, strategic, long-term, and decisive, mobilizing the entire political system. He stressed the importance of limiting and preventing demand, focusing on early prevention at grassroots levels and schools to eliminate drugs in educational environments, thus creating a drug-free atmosphere for students and young people. The Prime Minister called for building and improving the legal and institutional framework to fully institutionalize Party guidelines and State policies.

Regarding the draft Law on E-commerce, the Prime Minister noted the rapid growth of this sector, which brings convenience but also new management challenges. He urged a thorough understanding and concrete implementation of Party guidelines on digital transformation, the removal of obstacles, and the promotion of the digital economy, digital government, digital society, and digital citizens. Emphasis was placed on designing tools for management, inspection, and supervision, including controlling goods’ quality, tax management, and combating smuggling, fraud, and counterfeit products.

For all draft laws, Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính requested adherence to the “6 clarities”: clarifying omitted, amended, completed, added, or reduced contents; simplification of administrative procedures; decentralization and delegation of authority; addressing differing opinions; and clarifying issues requiring further reports. He emphasized the importance of timely institutionalizing Party guidelines and State policies, promoting decentralization tied to resource allocation, building capacity at local levels, enhancing inspection and supervision, shifting from pre-control to post-control, and centering legislation around the needs of people and businesses. Administrative reforms to reduce procedures, hassle, time, and compliance costs were also highlighted.

The Prime Minister underscored the need for laws to be principled and framed within the National Assembly's authority while entrusting the Government to specify details, allowing flexibility and adaptability to societal changes. He advised codifying only mature, clear, and proven practices into law, while continuing to research and gradually expand rules on issues that remain complex or evolving, avoiding rushing toward perfection.

Tập đoàn Nhật muốn tăng đầu tư dự án năng lượng tại Việt Nam

VN Express | Local Language | News | July 16, 2025 | UndeterminedEnergy Prices

On July 14, Marubeni Corporation’s General Director, Masayuki Omoto, met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to discuss expanding the Japanese firm's investments in Vietnam. Omoto praised Vietnam's improving business environment and affirmed Marubeni's commitment to contributing to the country’s development. Planned projects include the O Mon II gas power plant, Quang Ninh LNG gas power, wind and solar farms, and the Amata Ha Long City industrial zone, along with processing factories for export goods and smart urban initiatives in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Marubeni, a major Japanese investment and trading company with 130 branches in 68 countries, has operated in Vietnam for 80 years, employing around 7,500 Vietnamese and generating about $3 billion annually. It is active in sectors including import-export, mergers and acquisitions, food processing, textile, and energy. The company has developed 11 thermal power plants, totaling 4,000 MW capacity, including the 1,200 MW Nghi Son 2 plant.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh acknowledged Marubeni’s long-term contribution to Vietnam’s socio-economic development, highlighting technology transfer, export revenue, job creation, and tax contributions. He welcomed the company’s planned expansion and assured continued government support and favorable conditions for foreign investors. The Prime Minister emphasized Vietnam’s legal framework for LNG and offshore wind projects and noted that issues with the O Mon II project have been resolved.

He encouraged Marubeni to view Vietnam as a strategic investment base, expanding energy projects like gas and offshore wind power, supporting GDP growth, developing AI and big data, and exporting electricity to ASEAN countries. The Prime Minister also called for cooperation with Vietnam National Coal and Mineral Industries Group on coal exports to Japan, agricultural product development, industrial zone investments, and establishing manufacturing plants for instant noodles, mochi cakes, and pharmaceuticals to serve domestic and export markets.

Marubeni’s General Director responded positively, committing to implement high-value projects in sectors recommended by the Vietnamese government.

Vietnam Net - E | English | News | July 16, 2025 | UndeterminedTrade Issues and Numbers

The 14th meeting of the Vietnam-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) and the UK-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (UKVFTA) Trade Committee on July 14 in London strengthened bilateral economic ties by addressing trade barriers and expanding cooperation in agriculture, healthcare, banking, finance, renewable energy, education, and capacity building. Co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Minister Nguyen Hoang Long and UK Minister Douglas Alexander, the discussions highlighted a decade of growing trade and investment relations, especially following the UK’s accession to the CPTPP and ongoing implementation of the UKVFTA.

In the energy sector, the UK reaffirmed support for Vietnam’s energy transition toward net-zero emissions by 2050, through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and bilateral initiatives. Vietnam updated its renewable energy policies and sought greater UK assistance in training, human resource development, and sustainable supply chains. The UK expressed interest in expanding market access for British poultry, beef, and seafood, while welcoming Vietnam's commitment to approving Vietnamese poultry exports to the UK. In finance, the UK proposed supporting Vietnam’s international financial center development, focusing on green bonds and financial institutions, with Vietnam encouraging detailed proposals.

Educational cooperation was also emphasized, including innovation, science, technology, and English language teaching. Both sides stressed maximizing the benefits of UKVFTA and CPTPP through enhanced trade and investment promotion, business matching, and regulatory cooperation. The UKVFTA Trade Committee reviewed agreement implementation, acknowledging progress and seeking to address remaining market access challenges to boost bilateral trade.

Deputy Minister Long’s meetings with UK trade officials and business leaders, including HSBC, Prudential, Arup, and BP, underscored UK business interest in partnering with Vietnam, particularly in renewable energy. The Vietnam-UK Business Forum 2025 in Edinburgh highlighted rising bilateral trade, which reached $8.4 billion in 2024, an 18% increase year-on-year, positioning the UK as Vietnam’s third-largest export market in Europe. A notable MoU was signed between BP Group and T&T Group to promote e-mobility through a battery-swapping ecosystem for electric motorbikes.

In the first half of 2025, bilateral trade grew by 9.6% year-on-year to over $4.3 billion, with Vietnam exporting nearly $3.4 billion and importing $461.6 million from the UK. The ongoing cooperation frameworks and trade agreements continue to facilitate expanding economic and trade ties between Vietnam and the UK.