Vietnam news in brief - March 26

Vietnam, US security officials eye further cooperation in cyber security

Minister of Public Security To Lam sought further cooperation with educational institutions in the US to improve Vietnam's cybersecurity capabilities at a meeting with Thomas J. Vallely, Senior Advisor at Harvard University's Harvard Kennedy School on March 25.

For his part, the American specialist spoke highly of the partnership between Vietnamese and US agencies in cybersecurity, stressing that Vietnam has a high potential for developing AI infrastructure. He also expected the two sides to promote their relations in the future.

Vietnamese monk honored by Myanmar government

Venerable Thich Thien Ngoc, head of the Vietnamese pagoda Dai Phuoc in Myanmar, has received a noble title from the Myanmar government for his outstanding contributions to the dissemination, preservation and development of the Buddha's teachings in Southeast Asia.

The Venerable is also a member of the Overseas Dharma Preaching Subcommittee of the Central Committee of the Vietnamese Buddhist Sangha.

VinFast almost doubles e-vehicle sales in 2023: financial statements

A VinFast charging station in the southernmost province of Ca Mau. Photo courtesy of the company

E-vehicle manufacturer VinFast, a member of conglomerate Vingroup, earned VND28.7 trillion (US$1.16 billion) in 2023, nearly doubling its 2022 result, according to the company's financial statements sent to the US Securities and Exchange Commission last week.

According to VinFast, the company incurred a net loss of VND57.4 trillion in 2023, an annual increase of 17%, and most of its sales were in Vietnam. The company expects more operating and net losses in the near future as it scales up production, sets up manufacturing plants, and expands operations outside Vietnam.

Vietnam's public debt rises, foreign capital falls with stronger yen

A stronger Japanese yen may have some negative impacts on the Vietnamese economy, BIDV Securities JSC (BSC) has predicted. The stronger yen will increase Vietnam's public debt under loan agreements with Japan and reduce foreign capital from Japan into Vietnam, it said.

Vietnamese exporters will find it harder to sell their products in Japan, and a stronger yen will weigh on local firms that take out loans in yen, BSC said.

First Vietnamese language camp held in Thailand’s Nong Khai Province

Pathumthep Wittayakarn High School in Thailand's Nong Khai Province hosted the first Vietnamese language and culture camp on March 25 to promote the beauty of Vietnamese culture, history and people to Thai residents. This is an opportunity for Thai and Vietnamese students to strengthen their relationship.

The two-day camp attracted teachers and students from 14 high schools in Thailand and the Vietnamese overseas community. The Vietnamese Consul General in Khon Kaen, Chu Duc Dung, expected this to become an annual event to make Vietnamese one of the foreign language subjects in Thailand.