Vietnam establishes Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the announcement of the Ministry of Ethnic and Religious Affairs on March 1. The ministry, formed by merging the Committee for Ethnic Affairs and the religious management division of the Ministry of Home Affairs, aims to bolster ethnic and religious unity across the country. Dao Ngoc Dung has been appointed as the minister, with four deputy ministers appointed to assist in the ministry’s work.
Vietnam-Tanzania boost trade cooperation on 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties
Vietnam and Tanzania agreed to enhance trade through business delegations, trade promotion, and international fairs during Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Le Thi Thu Hang’s visit to Tanzania marking 60 years of diplomatic relations. They aim to finalize key agreements, including an Investment Protection Agreement and a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, while proposing an annual business forum to strengthen ties.
Vietnam to develop five key universities in engineering and technology
Vietnam plans to invest in upgrading five public universities into national hubs for engineering and technology, aligning with regional standards. The universities include Hanoi University of Science and Technology, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, University of Transport and Communications, Posts and Telecommunications Institute of Technology, and Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology and Education. The government will also prioritize STEM-focused institutions to support key economic and social sectors across the country.
Vietnam extends registration fee exemption for EVs until 2027
Vietnam has extended the 0% first-time registration fee for battery electric vehicles (EVs) until February 28, 2027, according to a Government Decree issued on March 1. The policy, originally set to expire in 2025, aims to reduce emissions, boost EV production, and encourage consumer adoption.
Youth celebrate traditional culture at Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism
The Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism will host activities under the theme “Youth and Traditional Culture” throughout March. Featuring over 100 participants from 16 ethnic groups, the event includes folk music, dance, traditional festivals, and cultural exhibitions, fostering youth engagement and promoting Vietnam’s rich ethnic heritage.
| Traditional singing activities at the Vietnam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism. Photo: Minh Thuy/VGP |
Vietnam masters world-leading infertility treatments
Vietnam has developed 65 fertility centers since 1998, mastering the world’s most advanced infertility treatments, with 200,000 babies born through assisted reproduction. Once reliant on foreign care, Vietnam now attracts international patients. The country pioneers techniques like CAPA-IVM and applies AI in embryo selection. Experts call for insurance coverage to improve access amid declining birth rates.
An Giang honors Vietnamese traditional Ao dai
A festival honoring Vietnam’s traditional Ao dai is now underway until March 8 in the southwestern province of An Giang, marking International Women’s Day and the 1985th anniversary of the Trung sisters (Hai Ba Trung) uprising (40-2025). The event features a parade of 1,500 women in Long Xuyen and a fashion show showcasing Ao dai through different eras. The festival aims to promote Ao dai as a national cultural heritage.
