The traditional craft of making banh cuon (steamed rice rolls) in Hanoi’s Thanh Tri village has been officially inscribed on Vietnam’s list of national intangible cultural heritage under the category of folk knowledge and traditional craftsmanship. This recognition marks a significant milestone in preserving, honouring, and promoting the unique cultural and culinary values of the craft village, enriching the capital’s gastronomic heritage.

In the first six months of 2025, Vietnam’s total outbound investment — including both newly registered and adjusted capital — reached 487.1 million USD, 3.6 times higher than the same period in 2024. Key sectors included electricity, gas, hot water, steam, and air conditioning production and distribution (111.2 million USD), transportation and warehousing (78.5 million USD), and wholesale, retail, and repair of motor vehicles and motorcycles (76.8 million USD).

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has urged nationwide efforts to totally eradicate makeshift and dilapidated housing by August 31. In particular, he stressed that all substandard homes belonging to national contributors, relatives of martyrs, and revolutionary veterans must be addressed no later than July 27, 2025, as a tangible and meaningful gesture of gratitude for their sacrifices and service.

In the first six months of 2025, over 91,200 new businesses were registered nationwide (up 11.8%), while more than 61,500 businesses resumed operations (up 57.2%). This brought the total number of newly established and reactivated businesses to over 152,700, a 26.5% increase compared to the same period in 2024.

As of 30 June 2025, total foreign investment - including newly registered capital, adjusted capital, and capital contributions/share purchases - reached 21.52 billion USD, up 32.6% year-on-year. Out of 72 countries and territories with newly licensed projects, Singapore led the way with 2.41 billion USD, accounting for 25.9% of newly registered capital.

At the invitation of Brazilian President Lula da Silva, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse led a high-level Vietnamese delegation to attend the expanded BRICS Summit 2025 and conduct bilateral activities in Brazil from July 4-8. This marks Vietnam’s first participation in a BRICS Summit as a Partner Country — a multilateral cooperation mechanism among emerging economies with growing economic and political influence.

The total export value of agricultural, forestry, and fishery products was estimated at 33.5 billion USD in the first six months of this year, up 14.3% compared to the same period last year, according to the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

US travel magazine Travel + Leisure has revealed the Vietnam winners of its Luxury Awards Asia-Pacific 2025, spotlighting the country’s best hotels and resorts as voted by readers.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse will lead a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam to attend the expanded BRICS summit and engage in bilateral activities in Brazil from July 4 – 8. Vietnam and Brazil officially established diplomatic relations on May 8, 1989. Over 35 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, Vietnam-Brazil relations have been continuously strengthened and developed.

As of June 28, a total of 264,522 dilapidated and makeshift houses have been eliminated nationwide through support programmes. Of these, 229,328 houses have been completed and handed over to beneficiaries, contributing significantly to improved living conditions for disadvantaged households across the country.

According to the Politburo’s resolution on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, Vietnam has set ambitious targets for 2030. The country aims to achieve advanced capabilities in science, technology, and innovation across several key fields, ranking among the leading nations in the
upper-middle-income group.

From July 1, 2025, Vietnam officially implements the two-tier local administration model nationwide, comprising the provincial and commune levels. This marks a significant milestone in the country’s administrative reform process, setting the course for sustainable and long-term development.

On the morning of June 30, localities across the country simultaneously held ceremonies to announce resolutions and decisions issued by the Party Central Committee and local authorities on the merger of provincial- and commune-level administrative units, the establishment of new Party organisations, and the appointment of personnel to Party committees, People’s Councils, People’s Committees, and Fatherland Front Committees at all levels — from provinces and cities to communes, wards and special zones.

Party General Secretary To Lam has written an article emphasising the power of solidarity to drive the country into the new era of development.

On June 5, 2025, the Michelin Guide Vietnam held its annual award ceremony to honour culinary establishments in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and Da Nang. This year, nine restaurants across the country have earned the prestigious one-star MICHELIN distinction – a mark of high-quality cuisine, well worth a stop!

Vietnam’s North-South railway, known as the Reunification Express, has been named among the world's 24 most incredible train journeys to book in 2025, according to Australian travel magazine Lonely Planet.

The "Vietnam Family Festival 2025," hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, runs from June 25–30 in Buon Ma Thuot city in the Central Highlands province of Dak Lak. Featuring lively activities and nationwide participation, the festival celebrates Vietnam Family Day (June 28) with the theme “Happy Families – Prosperous Nation,” promoting awareness of the vital role of families in the country’s development.

Hanoi has fulfilled all criteria as stipulated in Decision No. 321/QD-TTg by the Prime Minister on the conditions for recognising provinces and cities as having completed the task of building new-style rural areas in the 2021–2025 period.

Vietnam has been re-elected for a second consecutive term (2021–2025, 2025–2029) as a member of the Intergovernmental Committee of the 2005 UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions.

At the invitation of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and Børge Brende- President and CEO of the World Economic Forum, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is attending the 16th Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Tianjin and conducting a working visit to China from June 24-27.