Hanoi (VNA) – The following is a brief review of the day’s events as reported by the Vietnam News Agency. - Party General Secretary To Lam on February 6 held a working session with the Ha Giang provincial Party Committee to review progress made since the resolutions of the 13th National Party Congress and the 17th provincial Party Congress for the 2020-2025 term were adopted, while setting the course for 2025.

Praising achievements made by the provincial Party Organisation, authorities and people, Party chief Lam pointed out local strengths, starting with its rich and valuable natural resources conducive to developing distinct agricultural products. Read full story

- State President Luong Cuong presided over an incense offering ceremony at Kinh Thien Palace within the Thang Long Imperial Citadel in Hanoi on February 6, or the 9th day of the Year of the Snake, to commemorate kings and those who made contributions to the nation.

The ceremony also aims to pray for national peace, prosperity, and harmony, reflecting deep respect and gratitude for the kings and virtuous scholars who laid the foundation for the culture of Thang Long and the civilisation of Dai Viet, which continues through to the glorious Ho Chi Minh era. Read full story

- Vietnam is not only a model of technological progress but also a potential linchpin for global cooperation in advancing AI capabilities, especially for developing countries, said Under-Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) and UN Secretary-General's Envoy on Technology Amandeep Singh Gill.

During a working session in New York on February 5 with Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, Gill praised Vietnam's vision and groundbreaking policies, expressing admiration for Vietnam's relentless pursuit of innovation, digital transformation, artificial intelligence (AI), and cybersecurity. Read full story

- Singaporean news agency CNA has recently ranked Phu Quoc among the top 25 must-visit destinations in 2025, placing it alongside some of the world’s most renowned travel paradises.

In its list of 25 Places to Visit in 2025, CNA ranked Phu Quoc at No. 7, making it the only Vietnamese destination on the list and one of the few Asian locations, alongside Koh Samui (Thailand), Manila (Philippines), and Singapore. The agency emphasised 2025 as the perfect time to embrace slow travel and prioritize sustainable tourism. Read full story

- Vietnam recorded a trade surplus of 3.03 billion USD in January, despite overall trade activity showing signs of contraction, according to data released by the General Statistics Office on February 6.

Total import-export turnover reached 63.15 billion USD in January, marking a 10.5% decrease from the previous month and a 3.5% drop compared to the same period last year. Read full story

- The retail petrol prices were adjusted from 3pm on February 6 by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance.

Accordingly, the price of E5RON92 bio-fuel increased by 51 VND to a maximum of 20,442 VND (0.81 USD) per litre. Meanwhile, that of RON95-III was reduced by 74 VND to 20,928 VND per litre. Read full story

- More than 4.33 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) was funnelled into Vietnam in January, a year-on-year surge of 48.6%, the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Foreign Investment Agency reported.

The investment landscape saw 282 new projects being registered, with total capital amounting to nearly 1.29 billion USD, representing a 43.6% decrease from a year earlier. Meanwhile, the additional capital from 137 existing projects saw a dramatic increase, reaching 2.73 billion USD – more than six times higher than the same period last year. Read full story

- Adjusted healthcare fees, and higher transportation costs and food prices, driven by increased demand during the Lunar New Year (Tet) holiday, led to a 0.98% rise in the Consumer Price Index (CPI) in January compared to the previous month.

According to the General Statistics Office, the index expanded by 3.63% year-on-year, while core inflation rose 3.07%. Read full story

- Ho Chi Minh City's Thu Duc city on February 6 announced its 2040 master plan and introduced 535 investment projects with a total estimated capital of over 800 trillion VND (over 31.6 billion USD).

The master plan, approved by the Prime Minister under Decision No. 202 on January 21, envisions Thu Duc as a first-tier city and a key economic, technological, and educational hub in the eastern region of HCM City. By 2040, its population is expected to reach 2.6 million, rising to 3 million in subsequent years. Read full story

- Since the implementation of the Government’s Decree 168 on new penalties for traffic violations, public awareness and compliance with traffic laws have significantly improved. Many motorists now adhere to regulations voluntarily, even in the absence of police officers, according to the Traffic Police Department on February 6.

A representative from the department highlighted a notable reduction in violations handled over the past month compared to the previous period, reflecting an increased sense of responsibility among road users. Many now observe traffic laws independently, without requiring police supervision./. Read full story