Vietnam news in brief - April 28

Memorial to late General Secretary Le Duan opens

The memorial to revolutionary strategist and Vietnam’s longest-serving Party leader, late General Secretary Le Duan, opened in the central province of Quang Tri on April 28, on his 118th birthday and the 50th anniversary of national reunification.

Le Duan, a key figure in the Vietnamese revolution, authored the influential “Outline of the Southern Revolution.” 

Lao President visits Vietnam for infrastructure cooperation 

Lao President and Party General Secretary Thongloun Sisoulith arrived in Vietnam on April 28 to strengthen infrastructure cooperation and attend the 50th anniversary of Vietnam's reunification (1975-2025). He attended the inauguration of the Laos-Vietnam International Port at the Vung Ang Economic Zone in the central province of Ha Tinh, a deep-water port closest to Laos and northeastern Thailand, located just over 100 km from the main border gates. The Lao delegation also visited the Fourth Military Region.

Binh Dinh allocates funding for $1.14 billion expressway project

The central coastal province of Binh Dinh will allocate about $29.5 million for land clearance, compensation and resettlement as part of the $1.14 billion Quy Nhon-Pleiku Expressway project. Construction of the 123km expressway, including 37.4km in Binh Dinh, is scheduled to begin in 2025 with four lanes and two tunnels.

Dak Nong breaks ground on Gia Nghia-Chon Thanh Expressway access roads

The Gia Nghia-Chon Thanh Expressway’s local component project, including access roads and overpasses, was launched on April 28 in the southwestern province of Dak Nong. With an investment of $14 million, the project spans nearly 30 km and includes five overpasses. Set for completion by 2026 and operational in 2027, it aims to connect regions.

Vietnam Citizenship Law Project under discussion

The Ministry of Justice has proposed two major policy changes to the Nationality Law: streamlining the naturalization process for Vietnamese descendants, foreign investors, and experts, and easing conditions for stateless individuals to regain Vietnamese citizenship while retaining their foreign nationality, provided national security is safeguarded. The proposals were presented during the National Assembly Standing Committee’s review of the draft amendment to the law on April 28.

VIB announces 21% dividend payout

Vietnam International Bank (VIB) reported a Q1 pre-tax profit of over $96 million, up 7% year-on-year. The bank also announced a 21% dividend payout and saw growth in credit and deposits. VIB launched the “Super Savings” account, attracting nearly 200,000 users and earning an award for “Best Customer Benefit Account 2025.”

VPBank sets 2025 profit target of $1.05 billion

VPBank targets a pre-tax profit of $1.05 billion in 2025, a 26% increase from 2024. It expects total assets to surpass $47.2 billion by May and targets 30%-35% annual growth in the coming years.

Vietnamese patriotic films screened at Danang Festival

The program "Half a Century of Vietnamese Patriotic Films" will showcase 22 films post-war, including classics such as The Abandoned Field and The Legend of a Mother, at the 3rd Danang Asian Film Festival (DANAFF III). Screenings and artist talks will be open to the public from June 29 to July 5 at cinemas in the central city of Danang, home to world-class beaches.

Exhibition showcases Vietnam’s tourism and heritage

The exhibition "Space of Vietnamese Tourism, Cultural Heritage, Landscapes and Traditional Handicrafts" features over 300 photos, artifacts and cultural displays from 29 provinces and cities. Held in Hue until late May, it showcases Vietnam's rich heritage and tourism potential while promoting cultural preservation, regional links and Vietnam's profile as a major tourist destination.