Expanded BRICS Summit 2025: Vietnam attends for first time as Partner Country

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The Vietnamese team achieved a historic milestone at the 2025 International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO), securing four gold medals — including two ranked among the top ten. This marks the first time Vietnam has won four golds at an in-person edition of the IChO.

With the newly-adopted decisions at the 47th session of the World Heritage Committee, Vietnam now has a total of nine World Heritage sites. Among them are two inter-provincial World Heritage sites: Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago (Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city) and the Complex of Monuments and Landscapes of Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac (Quang Ninh, Bac Ninh provinces and Hai Phong city). Additionally, Vietnam now has its first transboundary World Heritage site: Phong Nha – Ke Bang National Park (Quang Tri province) – Hin Nam No National Park (Khammouane province, Laos).

Vietnam’s Yen Tu – Vinh Nghiem – Con Son, Kiep Bac Monuments and Scenic Landscape Complex has been officially inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List at the 47th session of the UNESCO World Heritage Committee held recently in France. This marks Vietnam’s 9th World Heritage site recognised by UNESCO and the second trans-provincial heritage site, following Ha Long Bay – Cat Ba Archipelago (which spans Quang Ninh Province and Hai Phong City).

With its cool climate and poetic highland landscapes, Da Lat remains an ideal getaway for travel enthusiasts. The city has recently been ranked among the top five most affordable summer destinations in Asia, highlighting its growing appeal as a budget-friendly yet experience-rich destination.

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.

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.