Catch up on the news in Vietnam today:

Politics

-- Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son made a series of recommendations on measures to step up cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the European Union (EU) while attending the 24th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting in Brussels on Friday, reported the Vietnam News Agency.

Society

-- Throngs of people began leaving Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday afternoon for their hometowns prior to the forthcoming Lunar New Year holiday, or Tet, causing traffic congestion at the city’s western gateway.

-- Many hourly sanitation workers in Binh Duong Province, southern Vietnam have cried for help as they have not received their wages for several months.. These employees fret over no money for Tet celebrations.

Business

-- Minister of Reconstruction Shinako Tsuchiya from Japan is currently in Vietnam, aiming to introduce Japanese fruits and fishery products to the Vietnamese market. The visit is focused on exploring potential collaboration opportunities with partners in the Southeast Asian nation.

-- Vietnam imported over 1.3 million metric tons of cotton worth more than US$2.8 billion in 2023, making the country the world’s third-largest textile and garment material importer, according to statistics from the General Department of Vietnam Customs.

-- The ‘Green Tet - Vietnamese Gifts’ market opened in downtown Ho Chi Minh City on Saturday, with nearly 1,000 agricultural products from 30 provinces and cities across Vietnam on sale. The market, which will close on Tuesday, is meant to meet the soaring shopping demand of residents ahead of the Lunar New Year holiday.

-- Garmex Saigon Corporation, headquartered in Go Vap District, Ho Chi Minh City, started liquidating some of its assets in December last year due to a lack of new orders.

Lifestyle

-- Ho Chi Minh City authorities opened Phu My Hung Flower Street in District 7 on Saturday afternoon to delight dwellers and tourists before and during the Tet holiday.

Sports

-- Defending champions and hosts Qatar beat Uzbekistan 3-2 on penalties in a thrilling Asian Cup quarter-final that ended 1-1 after extra time at Al Bayt Stadium on Saturday to set up a tantalising clash with Iran, Reuters reported.

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